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REBEL PRIVATE 

FRONT AND REAR 



EXPERIENCES AND 

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE EARLY 

FIFTIES AND THROUGH 

THE CIVIL WAR 



W. A. FLETCHER 



' LIBRARY of OONdftESS 

juN 6 woa 

, 9^n h. ..n 



TO THE PUBLIC: 

It has been my privilege and one I value 
very highly, to have read this little book in 
advance of its publication, and I have enjoyed 

'' n^s'qraliuuinior; its rugged truth; its honest 
outspoken heartiness; its simple unaffected 
iihr-iseology; its rough, unpretentious narrative, at 
' ; i^me'ume carrying a certain i-te delicacy ; 
the entire absence of self-laudation and yet the 
faithful chronicle of the author s lite and acts 
during that fearful struggle; the one or two 
pathetic incidents, such as the ca 1 of the 
Tounded brother for assistance in the /ine o 
battle and the other brother's response to the 
call and his falling, shot down by his wounded 
bro her's body; even the rough s»l'i«'^'> ;i"f ^ J^ 
of looking upon dead enemies as no longer fight- 
ing unitsf all together make it vivid with human 
i;;fe;"st from sttrt to finish, and you will read 
it with keenest satisfaction. 

Bein it and you will not lay it aside for the 

totally unaware of his own heroism. 

HAL W. GKEER. 
Beaumont, Texas. April 15, 1908. 



CONTENTS 

Ex])erienee.s and Observations from the Early ' 

Fifties and Through the Civil War 7 — 22 

General Jackson's Flanking General McClelland 
and Seven Days' Battle Before Richmond, 

Virginia 23 — 44 

Battle of Second Manasas 45 — 56 

Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia 57 — 71 

Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 73 — 88 

Battle of Chickamaugua 89 — 117 

Capture and Escape 119 — 175 

Surrender and Return Home 177 — -193 



Experiences aiul Observations from the 

Early Fifties and Tlironji^h the 

Civil War. 

This effort is made tiiroiio-h meinory, as I have no 
written data, therefore, will not atteini)t to o^ive names 
or dates, only in a few instances. 

I was born in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, in 1839. 
When I was about fourteen years of age 1 began to notice 
through listening to the talking of the older people, the 
trend of feeling in regard to slavery, between the North 
and South, and as my father was a close i-eader and kept 
fairly well posted on the live topics of the day, and as he 
had been a slave driver or ovei-seer in Texas at an early 
date, later on in Louisiana, he was up on the goods and 
abuses of the system as i)ractised, for he had the ad- 
vantage while in Texas of having charge of fifteen "like- 
ly bucks," as he called th?m, who were just from their 
nativity, and who he ran to Louisiana from the Brazos 
River when General Santa Anna was invading Texas; 
and his opinion was that tha abuses by inhmnan owners 
were such that an enlightened and humane peo])le would 
sooner or later abolish it by some method; and he was 
fearful it would be war. as both North and South seemed 
to bo swayed by the demagog, and it was evident the 
statesmen were largely in the minority, so if things did 
not take a different course soon, the blood of the bone 
and sinew of the government would soon be flowing on 
a number of hard fought battle fields 

Father's opinion was an uni)opular one and as time 
passed, it got more so and he would rarely exi)ress it to 
but few of his closest friends, who give one the same priv- 
ilege of expression that they take on subjects of great 
concern. The hot-headed politician and preacher seemed 
to be molding public opinion without any regard for the 
country as a whole. Both North and South were i)rov- 
ing, from their view ])oint the justness of their ])osition 



8 Early Experiences. 

by both the HWAo and (V)iistitiition, and from the preach- 
ers' views, the J^ord was with iis for he could prove it 
by the Bible; while the politician would quote some of 
the wording- of the (.V)nstitution, and say: "God and 
all civilized nations are with us." So with this charac- 
ter of education there was being- reared a i^'eneration of 
warriors, and so it was blood — nothing- else but blood 
and we surely si)illed it. 

Father thought a densely settled negro district would 
be a poor place to have a family during the war, which 
he said was sure to come; so he sold out and moved to 
Texas, and settled at Wiess Bluff, Jasper County, June, 
1856. At Wiess Bluff, father found in old man Simon 
Wiess a well read and intelligent man, and one who 
reasoned the future as he did; but his moving ideas 
were somewhat different, as I have heard him remark 
to father that if he could sell out at not too great a 
loss he would move to the Republic of Mexico in order 
to keep his boys out of war. While at Wiess Bluff, 
about the only mention of wai* I would hear was by 
father and Wiess. 

Father moved to Beaumont in '59, and there was not 
much war agitation heard, but what there was, was 
very extreme, such as : "I can arm my few negroes 
and run a whole company of Yanks out of the State," 
and "one Southerner with his superior marksmanship 

could shoot down the I) Bluebellies as fast as they 

would come in sight." In fact, I have often heard the 
remark before the war and around our camp fires in 
the early i)art of the service, that "we would only have 
a breakfast spell and all those who enlisted first would 
see the fun." So the im})ression I received through 
public clamor had dethi'oned what little reason I had, 
as I believed the most that the politician said, and all 
the i)reaclier said, because he proved it by the Bible; 
and such ideas as father had were then looked upon as 
the young now feel toward the old — that they nuiy be 
good, but don't fit the age. 

I was on the roof of a two story house putting ou 
the finishing course of shingles when Captain Wm. 



Early Experiences. 9 

Rogers came by and reixn-ted wai- declared and the fall 
of Fort Sumter. Tlie news was l)i-()uglit from Sjd)ine 
Pass by an up-river steamer that liad just landed, and 
it made me very nervous thinking tlie delay of com- 
pleting the roof might cause me to miss a cliance to 
enlist, so I worked and talked and soon had the roof 
finished, and made an agreement witli Rogers that I 
would take the train the next day for Houston, and Oal- 
veston if necessary, and find some way of enlisting, lie 
paying one-half the exi)ense, wdiich he did. So I boarded 
a flat car at the appointed time, and in the course of 
several hours made J^iberty; from there 1 ))um])ed my 
way to Houston on a hand car. When I arrived there, 
which was near night, I started to incpiire about the 
chances to enlist. I soon found there was no effort 
being made to organize, but that there would be soon; 
though from appearance and expression there would be 
no chance for me, as nearly all were going to enlist the 
first o])portunity. The next day T went to ({alveston, 
found conditions about the same as at Houston, so I 
boarded the first steam boat out for IJbei'ty. When I 
reached there, I learned that there was a man by the name 
of O'Brien getting up a company; so 1 w^alked a short 
distance to his residence in the country. I found that 
he i)referred his home boys, if a sufficient number would 
enlist. However, with a little ])ersuasion, I got Rogers 
and I enrolled. I returned home for a few^ days, then 
went to Lynchburg and was sworn in. We remained 
there for some time before starting for Richmond, Vir- 
ginia. Rogers had accepted a position on a steam boat 
and was not sworn in. On our way to Richmond we 
passed through Beaumont and the company received 
several additional menil)ers, and a few joined as we 
passed through Louisiana. 

The parting words of father were: 
long years since seen this had to 
foolish undertaking, as there is no 
Southern success, as our i)orts will be blocked and the 
North will not only have advantage of men and means, 
but the world to draw from, and if vou live to 



"William. 1 1 


lave 


come and it 


is a 


eai'thlv show 


for 



10 KaRLV Plxi'KHIKNCES. 

return, you will see my predictions are rig'ht. While 
I have opposed it, but as it is here, I will say that you 
are doing the only honorable thing and that is defend- 
ing your country." 

So from Beaumont we boarded a steam boat for 
Niblets Bluff, Louisiana. We were hardly out of sight 
of town before there were gambling groui)s on different 
parts of the boat, in full blast. It seemed the boys had 
thrown off all home restraint in that particular. We 
reached Niblets Bluff in due time and remained there 
a few days. While there I met an acquaintance who 
was running a small store and he proposed a game with 
me. I accepted, and as he was not bothered with custom- 
ers, we straddled the counter and played two or three 
hours at five cents anty. At the finish he was five 
cents the winner. He then proposed the best two out 
of three "seven up" for a bottle of lemon syrup and 
sugar to sweeten, which cost forty cents. 1 accepted 
and was the winner. He shut uj) shop and we went 
some distance to a spring and made and drank our full 
of lemonade. That was my first and last game of cards 
for money. 

Leaving Niblets Bluff, we reached New Orleans by 
marching, boating and railroad transi)ortation. We were 
quartered in a cotton yard and had but little restriction. 
The first night there were quite a lot of the boys who 
went into the city. The next day they gave their ex- 
periences, which they claimed were very enjoyable, so 
the next night there was quite a number of them that 
wanted to go again, and without much persuasion I 
joined three of them and boarded a hack and spent a 
part of the night out. I had twenty odd dollars in gold 
that was intended for necessities, from time to time, 
during enlistment and the most of the boys had made 
similar provisions. I found, however, that I was with 
a "busted" crowd, for when the hackman wanted fare 
I i^aid. Every place we went was ' ' Free Admission, ' ' but 
before we got out, I paid. This was repeated until 1 was 
busted, so after having had what we called a "good time" 
we took a cab and returned to our (juarters. When the 



Eahlv ExI'KHIKNCES. 11 

hack driver called for pav we turned <.iir empty pockets 
and reported busted, and I have often thon-ht if onr 
acts were what started cabmen collectini-- m advance. 

We boarded box cars at New Orleans and started for 
Richmond, making slow time. i)ur lations ran out be- 
fore we reached Lvnchburs', Virginia, and we got a^^Jul- 
ly hungrv, but had no money to buy. When we reached 
L^mchbuig, we stopped a few hours to <lraw rations, 
but as soon as we alighted at the depot we found a hogs- 
head of sugar and saw nearby an a])ple orchard, and be- 
fore rations were distributed we had about filled up on 
stewed ap])les. 

When we arrived at Hiclmiond, we marched to camp 
about five miles out and remained there some time drdl- 
ing and forming into regiments, brigades, etc. My com- 
pany was "F," 5th Texas Infantry, and the l)rigade was 
organized with the 1st, 4th and 5th Texas and ;b-d Ar- 
kansas. In this camp we suffered a good deal with sick- 
ness— th- most fatal I guess was measles. I liad an 
attack of measles and was sent to the hospital m lucli^ 
mond and remained there a few days and got tired ot 
hospital life, so T tried to h? a good hoy and please the 
woman who had charge of the ward in which T was. 
T soon persuaded her to get me a dis<-liarge, and T re- 
turned to camp one cold, frosty morning; the next day 
I was hauled back a very sick man; was put m a small 
room that had a coal grate and was instructed to stay 
in bed and keep well covered u).. 1 lay there a few da> s 
with a burniuii- fever, taking such medicine as was pre- 
scribed. T had learned the "itchy wa< ^•;:tt'n^Mo be a 
common complaint in the hospital, and after tlie fe^er 
had somewhat abated, T found I had ,t. so wI^mi th 
doctor made his next visit 1 drew niy arms trom u de 
the covers and showed him the whelps or long red mai Is 
of itch, and he said he would send me some medicine 
that wiuld soon cure it. So 1 lay covered and niblH^ 
all parts that itched, with uu.licine, and T gue s T .n t 
better, or at least thought so, and so reported t e 
c^ctor on his next visit. Tfe gave me a lecture on the 



12 Early Experiences. 

importance of kee})iii,i»- well covered. That evenino: I 
was visited by Jeff Cbaisoii of "P\" and I told him 
about havins>' the itch. Jeff said: "Bill you have not 
S'ot any itch, and I bet it is body lice you have, as the 
house is stacked with them." His remarks made me 
ani>-ry and 1 talked rather harsh to him for thinkinir 
that 1 was that kind of a filthy being and that I had 
not as yet ever seen one. As he went out he said, "You 
will when they get grown, as they are as big as a grain 
of wheat.'' He had not been gone long and I was yet feel- 
ing mean towards Jeff — my finger nails were long and T 
was scratching and got sometliing under one of them. 
I drew my hand out from under cover and held it to 
the light, and there, sure enough, was something alive, 
for I could see its legs working. 1 w^as on my feet in- 
stantly and at the window sill, with a full-grown louse 
crawling before my eyes— such a feeling of disgrace one 
rarely has. 1 made an examination of clothing and bed- 
ding and saw that I was well supplied with them of all 
sizes and nits by the hundreds. There was a good fire 
in the grate and scuttle of coal nearby, so I kept a fire 
while I held my clothing and bed covering to the heat 
and cooked tlie life out of the most of them. My cloth- 
ing and bedding was w^ell scorched when I got through, 
but the nits in the seams seemed to be but little changed. 
That night I slept but little and there was no further 
notice of doctor's instructions as I was well, less the 
lice. The next morning I rolled up my lousy clothes 
and went to the hospital laundry. It seemed to be run 
exclusively by women and this did not help my pre- 
dicament any, as I hated to turn my clothing in even to 
men. I soon saw who was boss, and I went to her and 
said in a down cast tone, so none of the others could hear 
me, that my clothing was lousy and T wished she would 
have them boiled. She s})oke in a loud tone, and they 
all heard and laughed: "Law, child, boiling won't kill 
them." 

I got out of there (piickly, feeling thoroughly dis- 
graced and thought if 1 had the money, cold as it was, 



Early Experiences. 13 

I would go into tlie city and buy clotliinu-, and Imrn what 
T liad. But as time i)ass('d, 1 got ovor my feeling of 
disgrace and learned that all were subjects, under like 
conditions. I got transferred fi-om the l)ack room I was 
occui)ying to a front, on the third floor. On the ground 
floor under my room there was a fruit mercliant and 
he had a stand that was under my window, on the side- 
walk, and one could look dow^n and feast the eye on 
nice ripe fruit, and this would cause a longing for some. 
There was one of "F" hoys who was an inmate at that 
time in the hospital — his nanie was Pemherton, hut was 
nicknamed "Wild Bill." He was a West Texas ])roduct 
and a fine, nohle young fellow% and was w^ell U]) on 
cowboy lore, therefore oi-iginati^l his nickname. Bill 
called at my room and wdiile there discovered the fruit. 
He said that it made him hungry and asked me if 1 w^as 
not hungry for some. I said, "Yes, and I wish that the 
fellow would keep it inside, or I had some money." He 
said, "If you will let me ©iterate from your room we 
will have all the fruit we want, or he will have to move 
it out of sight, and 1 do not think there wM)uld be any 
more harm in taking it than the man is doing by tem])t- 
ing a busted fellow." 1 agreed, and asked how he was 
going to do it. He said: "Wait and you will see when 
I come back tomorrow." When Bill returned he had 
a large fishhook, straightened, and line of suitable 
length, and w^ith suitable w^eight where the line was at- 
tached to the hook. It made a good har])oon wiien 
dropi)ed a few feet. The fruit stand was against the 
wall and nearly out of sight of the attendant inside. 
Bill, for a time, was a welcome daily visitor and could 
be seen about 10 A. M. at my window "fishing," as he 
called it, for fruit. He operated in this way: Lowered 
his hook to a point a few feet above the fruit; dro]>ped 
it, then he would i)ull it up and repeat. His time of 
operation was when a customer entered the room. This 
operation was repeated several days before the stand 
was kept off of the sidewalk, hut Bill and I sure had 
all the fruit we could eat, until the fellow caught on. 
We did not think that he ever saw or. missed the fruit. 



14 Early FiXPHRiKxcKs. 

but was told l)y some one. It was sure fnnny to see his 
neighbors on the oi)i)osite side of the street enjoy the 
fim. J thinlv some of them looked forward with pleas- 
ure and would have others posted, as day by day the 
sight-seers on the opposite side increased. One Sunday 
evening a few days after the fruit had been housed, Wild 
Bill asked me if I was not fruit hungry. My reply was, 
"Yes." He said: "Let's go and get some, then." T 
asked: "How?" He said: "Let's go and get our 
haversacks and go out in town and when we come to 
a fruit or candy fellow that looks like he has got more 
than the law allows and is using the sidewalk to keep 
some of his stuff on, you go inside and make out like 
you have money and want to buy; let your wants be 
where the fellow will have to turn his back to the street 
to get same; or it will be better if he has to climb up. 
Play him as long as you think is right, for you know 
there is no harm in looking at what a fellow has to sell; 
and he cannot think hard of yon if the article is not 
the grade you are after, or the price is too high, and 
whfle you are inside, diverting the boss, I will be out 
running our business." My reply was : "I catch." We 
were soon on the streets, passing from one stand to the 
other that only had one attendant. Chie haversack was 
soon well sui)])lied and exchange made for an empty 
one and it was not long before the second one had ami)le 
inner contents for convenient carrying. Pard said he 
could not see any harm in getting stuff in this way, for 
the fellow never missed it and when one couldn't miss 
anything, how did he know that he ever had it. He 
asked me if I had ever before been on an outing like 
that, and my reply was "No." He said that was the 
way with lots of fellow^s. "They could be something if 
they would try," and if it hadn't been for him I might 
have been killed before I found out I was good for 
something; for I sure was a success on a foraging trip. 
"Foraging" was the word applied for such outings dur- 
ing the war — in civil life it is called "shoplifting." 

As soon as I was about recovered from the measles I 
took the mumps, and with a lot of others was put on 



Early P]xpeiukxces. 15 

a canal boat and taken some distance to a place, 
which, if I renieniher correctly, was called "Huguenot 
Sprini^s." I remained there until I was able to repoi't 
for duty. AVhile at the ''Springs" I would roam the 
country some, thoug-h I was taking chances in tlie 
cold. While out one day and up a well iced i)ersiimnon 
tree, I slipi)ed and was hurt considerably; returned to 
hospital and was confined to bed several days. I was 
one in a I'oom of several occuiiants, and while thei'e we 
received a visit daily from a nice old maid. She al- 
ways had something good to eat to divide Uj) with us, 
and as she was most ga])l)y with me, the boys got to 
calling her my old girl, and said she showed ])artiality 
in her "hand-outs," so when I was confined to l)ed from 
the mishap, she was curious to know what was my 
trouble, and at each visit she becainc more persistent 
and I had dodged answering to the limit of my ability, 
but on entering the room one day she said T sure had 
to tell her tomorrow what was tlie matter or she would 
not give me anytliing to eat. AVhen slie left the boys 
had their fun at my ex])ense. The next morning tlie 
boys started joking again, and asked me what T was 
going to do and T said: "Wait and see." So at about 
the usual time "my girl" as the boys called her, made her 
appearance, looking as sweet and ])rim as usual, with 
a plate well piled with "goodies." She was as per- 
sistent as ever, and 1 finally said: "If you must know, 
I will tell you." The boys couunenced laughing. She 
was soon out of the room, slamming the door, with all 
the tempting food on the platter. The boys laughed and 
swore to their heart's content, as they knew all future 
visits would be only by the hos})ital attendants. 

When I was dischai-ged from the hos])ital 1 reported 
to command near Dunfrees. The Federals and Con- 
federates were camped on o]iposite sides of the Potomac 
River. AVe moved cam]) in the eai'ly ])art of H\'2 — the 
men were well equi])])ed with clothing and bedding and 
nearly all started with an overload, and the roadside 
during the first day's march was strewn for miles with 



16 Early Experiences. 

clothing', blankets, etc., which was done to lighten the 
men's carrying weight. Vegetables were scarce while 
in winter (|narters and as soon as we were i)nt on march 
we were watching for a chance to get some. We strnck 
cam}) before niglit, and my mess i)osition was 
on a rocky hill side. I strnck ont to see what I conld 
find while the balance of the mess attended to other 
dnties. I did not go far before T was at a cabbage bank, 
bought two nice heads and returned. The ])oys had a 
fire burning, l)ut as the decline in the hill was so great 
it required staking to kee]) wood from rolling down. We 
soon had the camp kettle on, with the cabliage in and each 
one had his juece of bacon. When it was near done and 
smelled so good we were sitting on the upper side of the 
fire, talking of the coming feast. Without warning, one 
of the stakes had burned and gave away, and as the ket- 
tle rolled off down the hill some of the boys tried to 
catch it, but did not until it stopped, some distance be- 
low. Seeing the contents pouring out as the kettle was 
striking the rocks on its downward course looked so 
ludicrous that I got to laughing, the balance cursing; 
and the more I laughed the harder the things they would 
say of their luck. When they asked me why I laughed, 
my reply was: '"Make the best of a bad thing, "as a 
hearty laugh is healthful," and they replied: "So is 
cabbage. ' ' 

We stopped near Frederickslmrg and camiDed there for 
some time. While in camp I had a severe attack of jaun- 
dice, and when the command started to move, 1 was given 
a permit of sick leave, so I went into Fredericksburg and 
took a room at a hotel. I had eaten ])ut little while sick 
in camp; but the first evening at the hotel I felt some- 
what hungry and went to a restaurant and ate an oyster 
stew. Tt was not long before I was in bed, suffering 
greatly, as the oysters w^ould not digest. T was deathly 
sick for a while, without any aid or relief. During the 
fore part of the night my door was opened and in ste])ped 
provost guard to examine my |)ass. I lay motionless. 
The officer in charge had a lantern and as soon as he 



Early Experiences. 17 

threw the light on my face lie said: "Men, we are not 
himtini*" a corpse," and turned and went out. After lie 
had gone I thoiiglit 1 must surely look had, and he hon- 
estly thought J was dead or he would have asked some 
questions. 

1 later joined my command near \'orktown. We were 
now under command of (ieneral Magruder, and here he- 
gan my service on the front. Magruder had fortified 
part of his front hy putting a levy across a })iece of 
woodland, hoggy, flat. This was partly filled with water 
and made quite a stretch of front that was easily 
guarded. There was part of a hattery stationed to pro- 
tect it. My first sight of the enemy was crossing the 
levy and deploying some distance to the front with a 
large detail. Toops and I were the detail of Com])any 
"F," and he and I were in position on an ()ut])ost, near 
center of the line, and about one hundred and fifty yards 
apart. Our line, from the best I could observe, had both 
right and left resting on swamp, and was formed as part 
of a circle. The ])osition was in the woods, with no open- 
ing in sight. After remaining in ])osition some time I 
grew restless and felt that we would not have a chance 
to see a Yankee and from my early education 1 was sat- 
isfied they could take a challenge and not resent it on 
fair terms; for there we were in their line and ready to 
fight and as they were invaders and hunting a scrap, 
they were cowards or they would not take a dare. All 
such foolish ideas as stated, had been thought of a num- 
ber of times, but along well in the turn of the evenicg, 
when my patience was near exhausted, I heard a gun 
shot to my right and it was (piickly followed by others 
and nearing my position. I was all eyes to tlie front 
and before I was aware of it the line had given away to 
both right and left, so the first shot that I fired at- 
tracted fire to my point. I soon saw that I was al)out 
to be cut off, so I turned and put in my l)est licks for 
the levy, slackening speed now and then to reload; but 
at each time the whizzing of a few n^ar bullets said 
"Faster." Some of the Yankees were good runners and 



18 Earta- Experiences. 

by my slackening- to load, liad gained on me. AYlien I 
got loaded 1 dro})i)ed behind a log- and started to shoot — 
the bnllets were whizzing- from front and both sides, and 
T saw my only chance was to run, for if they could not 
hit me, they would soon catch me; and from that jioint 
to the levy T tore through the brush and over logs, 
making such a noise that I heard but few bullets. When 
I came near the foot of the levy I saw the most of the 
men crossing — there seemed to be no one in charge and 
were all panic-stricken. Under the impulse of the mo- 
ment I called "Halt and hold the levy." All the men 
who were near me about faced and commenced firing; 
and as soon as the men on the levy heard the command 
to halt and the firing of those who had halted, they 
returned, I think, without an exception. We were well 
protected under the hill by good size trees and we 
fired at least fifteen mmutes before the enmy gave way, 
but some of them had gotten within less than one hun- 
dred yards of us. The enemy were shooting what we 
supposed to be "explosive bullets," from the noise they 
made when hitting a tree. T got several shots, but I did 
not think any of them hit the mark and I soon satisfied 
myself from the way the enemy could get from one tree 
to another that they were expert woodmen and called 
Toop's attention to it, and compared them as reminding 
me of wild turkeys. I don't think we killed or wounded 
one, and whilst they made a number of close shots, there 
was not one of our men hurt. 

On returning to camp my remarks were contrary to 
my education. My words were: "Boys, the impression 
that we have about the Yanks being poor woodsmen and 
marksmen will not hold good, if our levy experience is a 
sample; for I think I am fairly competent to judge. T 
have fished and hunted a great deal, from a small boy 
up; I have had the association and advice of both the 
white man and the Indian in Woodcraft, and I think 
the Yanks that we fought were as expert getting from 
one tree or log to the other as ever T saw, and they re- 
minded me in cunningness of wild turkeys; so I think 



KaRI.V FiX'I'ErtlKNCKS. 19 

now, if we wino' one a i>iece lliroui^li oui- service, we have 
done a k«<)<^1 jo'j, and the thini-- that now interests me 
most is to find out where tliose Yanks are from, and if 
there are many of them; so l)oys, Id me liear from you, 
if yon hear anything- ahont tliem." 1 suppose there was 
some interest taken in the matter, for in a few days I 
was informed that they were "Western trappers and 
Hunters." My reply was: "Thank God for that; for 
the great odds we will be forced to fight, there would be 
but few of them." 

Toops was an old acquaintance, and possibly a dis- 
tant relative of Captain O'Brien, and was in the cap- 
tain's mess. The captain was a noble specimen of human- 
ity; was very brave, just and kind and open to expres- 
sion, but thought himself a correct judge of men. It 
was his hobby that if he had a regiment of such men, 
calling the names of a number that were in the com- 
pany, he could accomplish anything in the way of battle 
that could be done by the same number of men. His 
idea of a soldier was the wild, reckless, camp-fighter, 
the ones the "slow pokes" would have to guard when in 
the guard house ; so I with quite a number of othei-s was 
classed as an all around good cam)) man and would 
fight in battle line with the others to lead. It was not 
long after we returned to camp before one of the boys 
said to me: "Bill, 1 heard Toops tell the captain that 
he had thought him a good judge of a soldiei', but now 
he questioned it and he thought before we got tlirough 
he would be of the same opinion." 

As we were camped some distance to the reai', we heard 
but little from the front, so we i)assed ((uite a time in 
drilling and camp duties, with i)lenty of ratiojis, but 
vegetable food was very scarce, less wild onions; and 
I think they were the most plentiful and the largest I 
ever saw, but one hearty meal of boiled bacon and wild 
onions will satisfy one's craving for vegetables for some 
time. 

In the course of time, Magrudcr's forces connncMiced 
to move — of course, we knew nothing of the why and 



^0 P]arly Expertknces. 

wherefore of such moves; but it was ouly a short time 
until we had a brush with the enemy. There was con- 
siderable rifle i)ractice by both sides, but little damage 
was done. The enemy shelled the woods liberally with 
what the "knowing ones" called "mortar guns" from 
their boats. I know the shells were large and made a 
frightful sound as they passed over us and exploded be- 
yond. The 1st Texas Regiment had a company with 
quite a number of Indians enlisted and from what I 
learned, they protested against such warfare, as the 
fellow who shot those big guns was out of reach of their 
rifles, and they were not having an equal show. I think 
this ended the Indians' service, as I understand they 
were sent back home. 

I, with a number of others, had quite an amusing 
exi)erience — with a ha])i)y ending — and it was this: We 
were sufferers from camp diarrhea, as it was called, 
and up to that time we had found no cure. So, entering 
the l)attle, I had ([uite a great fear that something dis- 
graceful might hai)])en and it was somewhat uppermost 
in my mind ; but to my surprise the excitement, or some- 
thing else, had effected a cure. I inquired of some of 
the others and they re])orted a cure. 

From this ])oint we moved slowly towards Richmond, 
with but little hai)])ening worth mention — only the short- 
age at times of i-ations, and the ])angs of hunger. A 
little parched corn at times was very acce|)table, and I 
never will forget the issuance of a i)int of corn meal 
each, and my cooking it into mush, without salt to 
season it. It smelled so good that I was tempted to eat 
before it was done, and of all the morsels I had eaten 
before or since, I enjoyed it most. Our marching ended 
near Richmond, at tlie (Uiickahominy Swamp. Here we 
saw some hard service; hut had i)lenty to eat. Here was 
where 1 saw my first balloon ascension. The enemy 
made a daily practice on some ])art of their front, taking 
observations, but they were hauled down in a hurry after 
a shot or two had been fired at them from our field artil- 
lery. The counti-y that we here operated in was rather 



KaHLV F'jXPRRTENCES. 21 

level and at places s\vaiiii)y, :iii<l at times pai't of it was 
covered with water. I well reiueiiiber one ex[)erienee on 
our picket line that crossed a railroad tiiat ran into Rich- 
mond. The detail that 1 was in was picketing from the 
railroad, a short distance to the left, and the position 
was a disagreeable one; and on account of water we 
were forced to flooi- the <»i-ound with cord wood to keej) 
out of water, when attemi)ting' to sleep. This made 
rather an uncomfortable pallet, with the spread of a 
blanket. Through ignorance, or design — I never knew 
which — we had to be on duty two hours on and two off; 
so this gave but little time for ])re})aring food or sleej)- 
ing, and was very wearying. But probably for the best, 
as stopi)ing longer might have caused sickness as we 
were, of necessity, partly wet. The enemy at this point 
had a locomotive on the track with a snudl cannon 
mounted on the tender and a few sharp-shooters con- 
cealed so they would enliven that part of the picket line 
by backing in as near us as was safe and giving us a 
load of grape or shell and a round or two from their 
concealed sharp-shooters. We were only kept at this 
point twenty-four hours, but were well worn out when 
we reached camp. In one of our reconnoitering trips at 
this place we pressed well to the fi-ont an<l had to wade 
water at times, with bullets flying. This was the first 
time that our ca])tain had a fair oi^poi'tunity to test his 
"pet soldiers," as we "pokes" called them. The most 
desperate ones of his "|)ets" made the worst sliowing. 
One of them in particular was so scared and in the 
way that he should have had our ])ity; but on the con- 
trary, all who showed the "white feather" heard of it 
then and there in rough words; so the captain heard for 
himself. Soon after that, he said to me that h(» thought 
he was a good judge of human tialtirc but now lie i-eal- 
ized that he knew but little, as our campaigning up to 
that time had proved too many misjudging. 

We remained in and around Seven Pines for (piite a 
while, with considei-able skiiinishing at times. At this 
place, and where a stray l)ullet might l)e expected at 



22 EaHT.V FjXPKRTKNC^E!^. 

any time, 1 got my first siylit of I'l-csident Davis, accom- 
panied by Judg-e Reagan and others. Being in the 
swamp so ninch, had to some extent water-solibed our 
feet, which was felt afterward. While at this place the 
regiment was one day near the front and held ready for 
a moment's notice. The ])icket line was a short distance 
to the front, and from all appearances the place had 
been occupied by trooijs for some time, and by some who 
were very lousy; for lice could be seen crawling on the 
grass leaves and body of the trees. Here I learned that 
in moving and occu])ying the same grounds occui)ied by 
others, that cleanliness was no l)ar to lice. The color of 
the Confederate uniform had the advantage over the 
Federal in not showing them when on the outside of the 
clothing. One now in civil or military life is apt to 
think that the men's often lousy condition was due to 
lack of individual effort. This was the case to some 
extent; but would not hold good under most conditions, 
as in hard and long campaigning, often with no change 
of clothing until worn off the body and probably for 
weeks witliout washing and then often with little chance 
of boiling. I suppose the lice pest is far greater in in- 
fantry than in other branches of the service. I guess 
by this time there would be some method of ridding a 
lousy pair of pants and shirt, and not do as we did. 
Our plan was, when they got so thick that they were 
hardly bearable, to make a fire of a small amount of 
straw or leaves and hold the garment over the blaze 
and from the heat they would drop off, be burned, or 
])e ready for the next fellow. If one was well stocked 
with big fat fellows, it would remind him of i^opping 
corn. The uneducated may think I have said too nmch 
for truth of this subject; but if he or she will ask some 
old "battle-scarred soldier" he will give you a few lines 
more. 



Gen. Jackson's Flankinj^ Gen. McCellancl 

and Seven Days' liatlle IJelore 

Richmond, Virjs^ina 

In the course of time we were ordei-ed to i)rei);u(' to 
move, so we were marelied to Kiehmoml tind hoarded a 
train and ran np to Stanton. There were hut two in- 
cidents of note. The train that 1 was on hroke from the 
engine on a long down grade hetween Richmond and 
l.vnehhnrg and the experience of my indesci-ihahU' feel- 
ing with the train of flat cars, well packed with men, 
going at high s])eed and the engine keeping out of the 
way, is weli im])rinted on my memory. We clianged to 
hox cars at Lynchhnrg and passed through a long tun- 
nel, before arriving at Htanton. The tops of tlu' cars 
were well strewn with men when we entered the tunnel 
and we had to lie down and flatten out, l)ut the feeling 
of insecuritv was felt in entering, for there api)eared but 
little room between the roof and top of the tunnel. There 
were reported two men crippled and one of them with a 
broken leg. AVe arrived at Stanton and remained a few 
days. Learned that chestnut rails were the only safe 
fencing in time of war, as they were a pooi- thing 1o make 
fire with which to cook by. 

From Stanton we were carried some distance hy rad 
then marched across a rough, hard road country— here is 
where our soft feet suffered. My old friend A. N. Vaughn 
of Oompanv "F" suffered tortures on the march, as one 
of his heels" had blistered so badly nearly all the thi<'k skin 
under the heel had separated from the foot, Inil with all 
the persuasion and abuse that T could bring to I'.'ar. Ih" 
would not drop out of rank. He woiiM say: "Iblh I 
have unfortunately been sick at each fight an.l the hoys 
will soon take me to be a coward, and I would preter 
death than to be looked upon in that light; and there is 
no use of von saving any more, as I have made iij. my 
mind to go into the next fight if 1 wear olT to my l<nei's. 



24 Rfa'kn Days I)Kkork Kichmond. 

So with that set determination he stuck seven days of 
it that I think were sufficient to dispel all his fear. 

On our march we found that we were under Stonewall 
Jackson, and from that we supposed (from the direction 
we were moving) we were flanking General McClelland, 
which proved to be the case. About twelve hours before 
strikini>' the enemy, I was ordered to select a man and re- 
l^ort to (reneral Jackson to the front. I selected a 
Charles McCauley, a young man who had only resided 
in Beaumont a short time before enlisting. "Mc" was 
of great vital force, ever active and courageous; was 
educated as a civil engineer and at a glance could take 
the lay of the surroundings and was a fast runner. When 
we reported, our orders were to move to the front of 
the advance guard. This we did, with the general riding 
close behind so we were not challenged. Some distance 
ahead we received our instructions, which were : To pro- 
ceed cautiously, keeping just out of sight of advance 
guard and flankers, and to report to him if the enemy 
were sighted or any sign of them. We preceeded in 
this way for some time — part of the time the general was 
with us and other times he was a short distance behind. 
The country that we were in was timbered, with now 
and then an oi)ening, and to keep as directed, it was 
necessary to mend our jiace when we saw an opening 
that we were to pass through, so we would be on 
the op|)osite side, or rather out of sight when the ad- 
vance entered the opening. At a point of this kind, we 
discovered a burning bridge on the opposite side. A 
glance was all that it took to satisfy us to make a cor- 
rect re])ort, so "Mc," as I called him, and I doul)le- 
quicked back, but did not have to go far before we met 
the general. We re])orted and made good time l)ack with 
the general to the point of observation. He, taking in 
the situation instantly, ordered us to cross the stream 
and investigate some distance beyond; and, looking well 
to both sides of the road, we went forward at fast time 
and found the stream to be a sluggish, boggy drain, 
about thirtv feet wide, with good high banks. We crossed 



Seven Days Before 1\*icm mond. 25 

about two luiiKli'cd yards above the bridge, iieaily dry 
footed and went forward in the direction to sti-ike tlie 
road about four liundi-ed yards from the ))ridi^-e; were 
traveling hurriedly, and nearing the road, when we dis- 
covered a line of "blue eoats," not being over thirty 
yards of them, near their riglit flank. We halted in- 
stantly and they ordered us to come in, with a few guns 
pointing our way. I said "run," and we sure did — they 
never fired a shot. When we struck the creek we did 
not look for a favorable crossing, but made a lea)) and 
landed well in the mud, nearly waist deep. We scranibU^l 
across and were on the home side in short oi'der. Just 
then I saw a straggling Yankee who had l)een uj) to a 
farm house and was making his way back to the bridge 
to cross, not knowing it had ])een fired. He was not over 
fifty yards off and as I saw him first I levelled my gun 
and ordered him to "trot in." He obeyed ])rom])tly. I 
pointed the direction and told him to trot on ahead. The 
general was where we left him and it seemed he iiad an- 
ticipated his needs, for there was a battery at the rear, 
just in sight, with a clear track. I had no more than 
gotten through reporting, when the battery came for- 
ward in quick time and were in line for firing. When 
the officer in charge of the battery ie])orted, the general 
called him by name and said: "Fletcher, instruct as to 
point of enemy's location and return and investigate, 
and re]^ort the effects of firing." 

I did as instructed and there was soon a rain of shell 
pouring in on their i)osition. The battery was well 
elevated and "Mc" and I were making fast time uiulci- 
their firing. The battery ceased firing as we crossed 
the stream and went into the woods; found the enemy 
had gone, and from the looks of the battery work, their 
position was well shelled. When we returned we re- 
ported all clear. There was a force of men i)utting out 
the smouldering fire and filling the stream up with logs 
and other material near at hand. The work was soon 
comi)leted and the delay in moving was shorter than one 
would have supposed, as (piick time seemed to be the 



2f) Sf.vkn Days 1*f,I''(ii;k Ivichmond. 

order of the day. 1 had heard of forced inarching- and 
was satisfied that 1 was in one, for from the time that 
we left Stanton, men were moved at tlie full speed of 
endurance and after "Mc" and I went to the front, the 
speed we traveled to keep as directed, would give one 
an idea that the nearer our ajjproach was to the enemy, 
the faster was our march. 

After passing the burned bridge, the country u]) to 
the time we struck the enemy, was the same as that we 
had passed that day, but with less openings. The woods 
were well under brushes and we could see but a short 
distance, only in straight parts of the road. After cross- 
ing the stream, the general stayed close u]) with "Mc" 
and I the bahmce of the time we were with him. After 
we had gone some distance we canu^ to a road that inter- 
sected ours on the right. Ileie we were halted and in 
less than five minutes the cavalry came up; so as it were, 
our cavah-y and infantry had joined forces. The cavalry 
halted and the general had a few words with the com- 
manding officer. We moved on, but did not go over one- 
fourth of a mile when the general halted us and in- 
structed that we travel some little distance to the right 
of the road, as only a short distance ahead there was an 
opening and he thought that we would see the enemy's 
pickets. T asked that, if we did, should we shoot and he 
replied, "Yes. 'J So as "Mc" and I turned out of the 
road the general turned back. We made our way quickly 
to the edge of the opening, about fifty yards from the 
road, and as expected, there were the cavalry pickets 
about one hundred and fifty yards out in the opening. 
Just then there was an officer whom we took to have the 
rank of "colonel," who seemed to be inspecting the 
picket line and had, what we supposed to be, two "or- 
derlies" with him. 1 whisi)ered to "Mc" to fire as I 
did. In a few moments the opportune time had arrived 
and there were two reports, near as one. He reeled to 
one side just as his aides caught him; but by the time 
we had reloaded, the ])icket line'were all out of shooting 
distance, and our cavalry was thundering by on a charge. 



Skven Days Bhkouk Iiicii.moxi,. 27 

Less than half a mile ahead our cavalry ran iiilo the 
picketing- rosorve, and I'l-oiii the ai)[)earaiK'e, where they 
were caini)ed, there must have been a rei>-iiiient. "Mc" 
and I moved on to where the cavalry were fi^htini^-, but 
before we reached the point, tlie enemy were falling- l)ack 
— from the firing-, our men were in close ])ursuit. We 
stopped here to wait for onr command as we knew our 
mission was finished. We waited until nearly dark be- 
fore our command came u]). The cavaliy continued skii'- 
mishing till dark. We struck camp just l^efore dai-k, in 
sight of the skirmisliers. 

During the night tliei-e was what was called a 
"loose horse," This sometimes ha])iK'Us when a hoi'sc 
is under great excitement, and may be I'lom either 
side, wdien the combatants are at close (|ua iters. At 
the instant the horse is sighted, the woids "loose 
horse" are heard and will l)e repeated i)y huudicfls 
of voices along the line, although the animal may 
pass directly through the cam]) to the rear, the whole 
encampment has been notified, hi this instance the horse 
passed ([uartering through camp and about fifty yards 
to the rear of where 1 had been sleeping. I know of n(» 
words that will bring the sleeping soldiei's to their feet 
as quickly as "loose liorse, " for everyone feels the neces- 
sity of clearing the track. The word "whoa" is a very 
popular one as the horse is passing through, but the 
users know it will have no effect on the distracted animal 
and would be about as much heeded as if directed at a 
whizzing cannon ball. 

The next morning we were in line I)y the time one 
could see, and moving to the front, i soon saw that we 
were the reserve, which is a dreaded position when kept 
u}) for you will hear the roar of the battlinii' front : see 
the wounded going and being cairied to the rear; and if 
advancing, as we wei-e in this instance, passing the dead 
and dying, and being ext)Osed to shell, or grape, or ean- 
nister shot; moving, standing or l>ing down, it is 
all the same — one may be shot down and not so unieli 
as raise a hand in self defense; and as one has ample 



28 Seven Days Before RirHMOND, 

time for rcl'lcction, tliey can well feel the seriousness of 
the surrounding's with all its liorrors and to see the lit- 
tle regard for human life and property so victory and 
the lauding- of a few can l)e attained. As a man becomes 
more aged and has bettered his reasoning, the clearer in- 
sight he has to the great danger of unreasoned ])ublic 
agitation. Along in the turn of the evening the battle 
was raging and from the roar to our right, it seemed to 
be a general engagement. The reserve, as far as I 
could see, was keeping close up to the battle front. As 
our column was moving to the right there were two men 
in front of me of Company "P"' who had become terror 
stricken and were retarding the quick time close-up move 
that we were making. They could not stand erect or 
move with a courageous bearing, but were dodging and 
stoo])ing, which often caused an unnecessary ga]). This 
caused me several times to speak harshly to them. I 
well remember my last words to them, which were: 
"Boys, straighten up; you are giving them damned Yan- 
kees two chances by stooping, as a shell that would pass 
in front without injury would cut your heads off, bent 
as you are." The words had not been uttered many 
seconds when a cannon ball had struck each near the 
shoulder and tore the bodies badly. 

C'omi)any "F" near this point was detached from the 
column and moved to the left as flankers. The reserve 
was soon thrown into action, relieving those who had 
been battling for some time at a hard contested ]ioint. 
When Hood's Brigade went into action, they raised the 
Texas yell, and the "F" boys full well knew its mean- 
ing was ' ' charge. ' ' Captain 'Brien ke])t Company " B^ " 
to the left a few hundred yards and advanced, as sound 
indicated, so as to retard or re})ort flank movement if 
attempted by the enemy. Our progress at times was slow 
as we were in a piece of woodland that had suffered 
greatly from cannonading,and there were places we had 
to surround on account of fallen brush which showed it 
had been a point of note for field artillery. In this tim- 
ber 1 suppose was the enemy's right, as our forces in 



Seven Days Before Richmoxd. 29 

^oing- in, cut off a reginu'iit. Tliis i-cgiuicnt liad a curious 
position or alignment to nie that I did not understand at 
the time, nor since — why a line of battle should be 
formed with a detached regiment at right angles and ap- 
parently giving no heed to the giving to the rear of their 
battle line. While Com])any "F" was moving rapidly in 
quite a de]iression, the bullets were coming thick and fast, 
but no enemy in sight. The conii)any was onU'red to lay 
down and 1 was ordered to investigate. Krom the firing 
where the company was situated, I was satisfied the ene- 
my was firing at right obli(iue. 1 went forward so as to 
flank them, and looking to my right 1 saw two of our 
soldiers going- (piick time to the front of enemy's lines. 
The idea that flashed through my mind was, that they 
were poor in woodcraft or they would not liave so ex- 
posed themselves. My idea of the enemy's position 
proved correct, for when T reached the top of the eleva- 
tion, to my right, I saw their line, and as I saw nothing 
to prevent and the conditions favorable for a close in- 
spection, I cautiously but quickly made the move so I 
was a little to the rear and about one hundred yards from 
their right flank. Taking in the situation (|ui('kly, I 
started to raise my gun to shoot the colonel, as lie was 
on the right of the column; but as shooting only in self- 
defense wouh.1 have been advised on a re]wrting mission, 
I turned, running, and had well struck down grade be- 
fore I was observed. Being on down grade 1 felt reason- 
ably safe while I ke})t up my s])eed, for I well knew that 
in favorable conditions a large percentage of the bullets 
would pass over. I came near falling twice on my plunge 
downward, as I was nearly tri]iped up by fallen liml)s; 
and it seemed that the whole line was oblifpiely firing 
in my direction. AVhen I reached the ])oint where 1 had 
left the com])any I saw that they wei'e gone, or I had 
headed wrong; so I jumped behind a tree for ])rotection 
and scanned the surroundings for the comi)any, and not 
seeing them, was satisfied that they liad moved; so T 
moved on at quick time in the su{)posed direction of the 
company's travel. This ] was correct in, for after I had 



30 Seven Days Before Richmond. 

g-one some distance donl)le-(|ui('king-, I ran onto our or- 
derly sergeant. I asked where the company was and 
he said they were mostly ahead, bnt badly scattered. 
We were then passing near a tented commissary depart- 
ment, which, from appearances, was well stocked with 
food. Jnst then to the right and two or three hundred 
yards ahead, I saw our line forming and directly to my 
right about seventy-five yards I saw a tall "Yankee" 
well bent in a long trot, and passing through the tented 
ground, in an effort, I suppose, to escape. I said, as I 
raised my gun, "Look, sergeant," and the words were 
not more than said when I fired — the man dropped his 
gun, staggered to the right and fell. The -sergeant said, 
"You got him," and I remarked that he liad quit his 
gun, at least. At this time firing had about ceased on 
the extreme left of Lee and right of McGlellan. The 
density of the smoke a few feet above the earth was so 
great that it ol)scured the sun. When I reached the 
forming line I saw what the Texas Brigade had done, 
for only a short distance to the front was what was once 
one of the enemy's l)atteries, and if memory serves me 
right, there were six pieces. Just as I reached my form- 
ing comi)any, the regiment that 1 have mentioned came 
running in without order and shooting some; and a man 
by the name of "Wood" of "F," fell mortally wounded, 
being shot in the back. The boys about faced and some 
of them fired. This caused the enemy to well under- 
stand their condition and they surrendered. The colonel 
of the enemy's regiment and the 5th Regiment, lieuten- 
ant. Colonel Ui)ton, I learned, were schoolmates. The 
Yankee colonel felt abused for the rude and umnilitary 
way he liad to surrender, as a ])rivate soldier disarmed 
him, and he felt humiliated. I was told that when he 
and U])ton met he complained of his abuses of not be- 
ing allowed to turn his arms over to an officer. Upton 
replied: "You did the right thing," for his men un- 
derstood war to be kill or capture, and understood ca])- 
ture was not complete until the enemy was disarmed; 
and they recognized no difference between private or 
officer. 



Seven Days T'i-.i-oue HicHMoxn. 31 

As soon as oui- linos were roniuMl, wv were ordered 
to lay down, as the picket lines were i)osting and there 
was some firing- and a passing bnllet now and then 
made the ])osition a disagreeable one. Soon after dark 
there was a detail made of three from a company to go 
to the rear and get rations for the com])any. I was one 
of *'F'" detail, i)ut the detail received no orders to re- 
poi-t to officer, or where to go; only to go to the 
rear and get rations, so we made our way to a point not 
far to the rear, where we had seen the commissary. 
When we arrived at the place there were a number ()f' 
details with orders similar to ours and no effort bemg 
made to load up. 1 inciuired what the trouble was and 
was told that we could get rations only with a written 
order, as there was a guard over them. "F" detail went 
to where one guard was stationed and I asked him wby 
we could not get rations and he explained, as stated. I 
tried to reason with him, telling him the men were very 
hungry, and if thev did not let us have the supplies, 
there might be trouble. T saw from his dress that he 
was no regular and asked him where he was from. He 
said his company that were there guarding were the 
Richmond Home Guards, and were there to protect cap- 
tured goods. T saw from the tone of ex]n-ession of the 
details, that all that was needed was a leader, so I backed 
off a short distance, (it being dark), so the source would 
not be known and s])oke in a loud tone of voice com- 
manding: "Fix bavonets and be ready to defend your- 
selves; take all the 'rations you want and leave the rest 
with guard." This command was instantly obeyed, less 
fixing bayonets, as there were but few in the detail; but 
the guard was not so well posted and raised no further 
obiections. From what I could hear, each man was load- 
ing up and calling out his find, so by that means we 
were soon posted and got a good assorted supi)ly, with 
what bottled whiskey we wanted as extra. AVhen we re- 
turned to the cmnpany we found the men still lying 
down, but when we rei)orted full handed they all sat up 
and ate, and from the way the bottles were passed back 



32 Seven Days Bekohf-, Ivichmond. 

and forth, one now would tliink tliey had never heard of 
"prohibition." So, with a full stomach, we passed the 
balance of the night in battle line, or what is termed 
sleeping on your arms, which means not undressing ; not 
so much as to even remove kna])sack or haversack. 

The next morning we were u]) and ready for duty, the 
firing in our immediate front having ceased, so we were 
not held strictly under a moment's notice order, there- 
fore, it was nearly impossible under such conditions to 
keep a volunteer body under strict discipline, and there 
was a percentage that would be to the rear; some through 
curiosity, others looking for some dead, wounded oi" 
missing friend or relative through this channel. Tt was 
reported that the officer in charge of the Richmond 
Guards had reported to General Jackson about the tak- 
ing of the sui)plies without written orders, by men who 
claimed to be detailed and the reply of Jackson was, that 
all they needed belonged to them, as they had taken it; 
so that settled any fear of the detail being punished. 

Now, I will retrace my steps of the following evening 
and will make what would have been my report to.(^ap- 
tain O'Brien had he not moved Company *'F," and T 
will give fruther the impression formed. As I have l)e- 
fore stated, I reached my company while forming, and 
all minds were absorbed, especially the officers' in get- 
ting the men back to their places from their scattered 
position through a closely contested fight, and that on 
a charge is one of the officer's most important duties; 
so seeing this condition, 1 waited until matters were some- 
what quiet before 1 approached the captain. AVhen [ 
did, my words were: "Captain, I suppose a rei)ort now 
is useless." His reply was: "Yes, but little did I ex- 
pect to see you again. I w^as forced to move the com- 
pany, as the position was too hazardous." My reply 
was: "I guess they were shooting at me." His words 
were: "I thought so, and they would aim lower as you 
descended." My report would have been: T gained a 
position a little to enemy's rear and about one hundred 
yards to the right there was a regiment on the brow of 



Skvk.x Davs l)Kr(>nK Kiciimond. ''^> 

a ridge, facing and firing. Tliey were formed nearly 
parallel to the hollow we passed in and I saw, near their 
center, a barrel on end and men passing to and from. 
I supposed it was whiskey, and from the battle li^ie our 
forces now occupied tliey were cut off and T was fearful 
through a drunken condition they would try to force an 
escape and cause uncalled for killing. Commenting, i 
will state, that when I saw the enemy's i)osition on the 
hill, 1 could not understand it; and up to this date have 
not figured it out, as they were near at right angles to 
their battle line, facing out and only a few hundred yards 
to the right. If tliey had been facing the op|)osite direc- 
tion and went into battle, as our relief charged, they 
would have struck them directly on the left and rear 
flank and, with a well directed enfilading fire, done great 
damage and brought about such confusion as would have 
made our charge unsuccessful; and as Company "F" 
passed about two hundred yards to their front. 1 would 
not have been sent forward to investii>ate if they had 
not been firing in that direction; and further, if our left 
had extended a regiment or two further, they would 
have been at the same disadvantage that they could have 
])laced us in. 

I will now proceed where T left off at <letaii }»unish- 
ment. We were soon formed and commenced movintc off 
of what I afterwards learned was "Gaines Farm." We 
s])ent the next few days tramping after a defeated foe, 
but not brought into action. We were in the rear and 
yet, I supposed, as reserve. I only saw two points of 

mention one where reports said we had a division ])osted 

to cut off ^IcCMelland's retreat, that the men were held 
in ])Osition and let his army pass without firing a gun 
This, of course, brought forth a universal expression of 
condemnation of the officer in charge. 

The next was pleasing to the sight and i)leasant for 
reflection. In passing near the end of a narrow but good 
length o])enino-, there lay evidence of a masterly piece 
of marksmanship— blue coats with bodies enclosed, lay 
in line for some distance, and so close that it put om^ m 



34 Seven Days Before Ktchmond. 

mind of a railroad grade witli ties laid for ironing. The 
sight may have been awful to behold to some, but the 
fellows in this case who did the viewing wanted to see 
others, and if there was a proportionate number wounded 
there were but few soimd ones left of the battle line. 
From the position of the dead, it looked to be the work 
of one volley, and they lay as if falling with but few 
struggles. It was reported to be night work with our 
men, but a short distance to the front. 

The next point of interest reached was Malvern Hill. 
Here we formed in line and I with two others of Com- 
pany ''F" were sent to the front with a large detail. 
We were posted under the brow of a hill, near the enemy's 
picket line. While going in we passed a dead "Reb" 
behind a large tree who had been killed by a cannon ball 
passing through the tree, although from the size of the 
tree it looked impossible for a ball to have passed 
through unless the tree was hollow, and if such was the 
case, none of us could discover it. Our position was a 
good one and the enemy's was the reverse, as they were 
in an open field, with wheat not over two feet high, and 
thin. Their distance was about three hundred yards less 
at a point in a narrow hollow. The enemy's battle line 
was under the brow of a hill in a piece of woods and was 
nearly at right angles from us; and to their front was a 
long open field of good width. To our left front in an 
opening was a battery, about a quarter of a mile off — 
it was behind their battle line and firing liberally at our 
troops. About half a mile back, as T have stated, our 
position was a good one, and T have often thought that 
the scout who found and reported it would do to tie to, 
and I suppose it was investigated at night. 

The detail was deployed so that they covered 
about three hundred yards of front and were driven 
from their position five or six times during the day, and 
at each time we were driven back and re-took our posi- 
tion, our ranks thinned until we were not more than a 
dozen strong at night. When we had taken our position 
we were ordered to silence battery, and we surelv did. 



Skvkn Davs I*)K1(»i{k Kiciimond. :^5 

and it was irvvni fim lor Ihc "liobs" to see tlie l)attery 
boys getting oft' under tlie sound of tlie i'el)e] yell. Wlieu 
the battery was silenced, we would turn our attention to 
their picket line and what fine shooting it was, for we 
had a safe ])osition, while they had as exposed a one as 
1 ever saw men in — it looked like rei)lacing the dead and 
wounded with live men to })e slaughtered, with little hope 
of retaliation. When the battery was silenced, the ene- 
my's right regiment would come from their hiding and 
fire volley after volley into the woods and the *'Rebs" 
would run for dear life a few hundred yards back and 
take shelter behind trees and stay hid out, as it were, 
until the Yankees had gotten their satisfaction of shoot- 
ing and retired. At each time the regiment advanced, 
they would remove their wounded, re])ost ])ickets and 
leave one or two sharpshooters at the bi-ow of the hill, 
and the battery would take position and wake the "Rebs" 
to rear up. They would some times try to dislodge us 
by a few rounds of grape shot but were unsuccessful, 
for they were soon put to flight. P^ield artillei-ymen a'-e 
somewhat like cavalrymen about a horse, and that is. 
they have formed an attachment as part of their ecpiij)- 
ment; and to move battery a few wounded horses would 
have the desired effect. When the Yankees had time to 
get their horses to protection before we regained our 
position, the boys had to l)e well pelted before they would 
cease firing. J could not tell from the distance the bat- 
tery was from us, the amount of (himage inflicted, but 
we could soon create quite a commotion and a run to tlie 
rear and the changing of or dropi)ing out of horses 
which we supposed were wounded. I don't think we shot 
down one of the battei-y boys, although we may liave 
wounded some. I guess we about accomplished tlie 
desired aim without inflicting much damage and oui- boys 
in battle line had a much needed rest and naji. As I have 
stated, our number gradually gi'cw less and aftcf our 
second advance we were, so fai- as I knew, without an 
officer. The remaining men continued doing as first 
directed and would advance and maintain position at 
front, at will, and as we could walk well protected a short 



,']() SkVEX D.WS i>l':i-(»lil', IvU'll MOND. 

distance behind our firing- line, I would change positions 
now and then to points that 1 could l)est shoot. I don't 
think there were many of the detail killed or wounded, 
and the gradual lessening of number was caused by those 
who did not enjoy the sport, and needed official con- 
trol. 

When 1 enlisted in the service, my brother was very 
anxious to enlist in the same company. 1 objected and 
gave him my reasons for objecting, which were: In the 
first place, I wished to be as far from home and relatives 
as possible, with but little advantages of hearing from 
them, for they were poor and could not render me any 
aid ; and as I cast my lot so as to be de])endent upon the 
government, I thought it best to feel at home and be sat- 
isfied among strangers, and the greater the distance and 
the poorer the chance to return I thought would, to a 
great extent, make me feel as though I were at home in 
the army ; and further, would we not, as brothers, have 
an attachment, as such, that would often cause worry 
where there was no chance of aid; and, further, there 
would be times when one or the other might neglect 
duty in some vain effort to satisfy some supposed mis- 
hap and pass many restless nights when rest was needed, 
and out of the other's power to render aid. So I asked 
him to enlist when his services would be needed west of 
the Mississippi River, which he did. I mention this to 
show what one is liable to be drawn into through a 
brotherly feeling. In this detail there were two brothers, 
both nice, genteel, courageous boys. Along" in the turn 
of the day, when our squad was small and on the ad- 
vance after having been driven back, and about one 
hundred yards from the position we had been occupying, 
to my right about fifty feet was one of these brothers, 
and to his right about the same distance was the other. 
The brother near me fell wounded and called to his 
brother for help, who resi)onded promptly, without ap- 
parent thought of what chances he was taking under the 
worst conditions, for it was evident that he was shot 
down by a sharpshooter who had been posted to shoot 
through that oj^ening in the woods. I still advanced, 



Skvkx Davs Uki'okk liiciiMd.vi). ;I7 

but would cast a ,i>lance at the wounded man. The 
hrothei- was (|uickly at his side and was bending as 
though he was .^oini;- to i)ut his hands on liim — he 
stai>-i>ere(l and fell, I think, l)efore liis" hands touched his 
brother. The sliai-])sh()oter liad .i^'otten two from the 
same position, wliich would not likely have hai)i)ened 
under other conditions. If this had occurred in battle 
line, the heli)ing one would have weakened the battlinu^ 
force two; but happenin"- as it did, the loss was less felt. 
The brother did not consider the neai- ])osition of a ,i>ood 
marksman with an o])enin«- through brush that he could 
have held only a few minutes long-er, as he would have 
made a target for both right and left of our line, and 
being of that class that always figures well on self pro- 
tection, and his whereabouts then was located, he was 
only holding his ground for a minute, expecting what 
happened. 

We soon evened up in numbers, however under nearly 
the same conditions, for just to the left of the position 
which we had been occupying was a narrow hollow point- 
ing to our left front, and just l)efore we were driven back, 
I noticed from the report of a gun that there was some 
one in it, so in going forward I made for the mouth of 
the hollow which extended out left a short distance. The 
left post man and I were understood so when 1 crawled 
to the desired point and raised u}), I saw, somewhat to 
my surprise, a Yankee on his knees facing me, with his 
gun leaning on a low worm-rail fence, with his arms on 
the fence and his head bowed down as though he was 
napping. He was not more than seventy-five yards dis- 
tant. I fired quickly. He called ])iteously, "Oh, Pat! 
Oh, Pat! I am shot, come here!" Pat reached him while 
he was moaning. Pat looked to be a spare built boy, 
about of age. I had l)eckoned the nuin neai- and he was 
at my side, and just as Pat had reached his friend, he 
fell by a bullet at the hands of the man i had beckoned; 
so, in the S])ace of thirty minutes there wei-e two Yan- 
kees shot similar to the two brothers. 

The closing scene of the day on that pai-t of McOlel- 
land's line was the grandest sight, to me, of the war. 



3f^ Seven Days Before IIichmond. 

Just as it was darkeuiiii^-, the "Rebs" emeri^ed in an 
open field, in line of battle, about four hundred yards 
to the right and front of our position, and as they were 
at right angles from us and when the enemy's position 
was observed, we found them in the same alignment and 
were just at the edge of the oi)ening under the brow of 
the hill, in the piece of timber that I have mentioned 
where the enemy hid from view that had driven our out- 
post in several times during the day. Just as our men 
had gotten near the middle of the opening, the enemy 
'rose up and turned loose a volley. Instantly our trooi)s 
replied, and the two streams that went forth were gi-and 
to behold. Our men then charged, and a stream of fire 
far down the line poured forth from both sides. This 
sight was awe-inspiring and a happy ending, as the 
enemy soon gave way, so we then headed for camp, with 
my part played in the great drama of the seven days' 
fight before Richmond. My cartridge box, however, was 
empty and I was well satisfied with the days' rifle prac- 
tice. I sui)pose the enemy had removed at each time 
they passed over their picket line dislodging us, their 
wounded, as we never shot a helpless wounded. At 
each time we re-posted there was none in sight, but some 
of the boys the next morning claimed that they counted 
sixty odd dead, being the work of the detail. 

Leaving this place, we were marched back to Rich- 
mond, with only two incidents. I will mention the first 
which was with a tobacco peddler. This character of 
]jeople are generally on to their job. They expect, from 
the way the most of them act, that all goes and is per- 
missible in war, as some of them are as well versed in 
sharp practices as some soldiers are. At this time we 
were out of chewing tobacco and the peddler was near 
the road, and from appearances, had a rush of custom- 
ers; and it was i)ermissible in such cases for a few to 
drop out of line of each company as they were passing 
to supply their wants. I had dropped out and was 
crowding in when I observed one of Company "P" boys 
to my front. I pushed a five dollar Confederate bill to 
his front and requested that he get me some. He turned 



Aftrk Skvkn D.ws' P).\'ni.K. 89 

his head and seeing- who it was, said: " Keep your 
money." He soon j^ot in phice and stood tliei-e, wliat I 
thought was an unnecessary length of time, while the 
others were getting their orders filled, and cliange, if 
any was coming. I finally heai'd him give liis order as 
though he liad made it before and it had not l)een heeded 
and as the })eddier always exacted casli in advance and 
handed out cliange, if any was coming, as he delivei-ed 
the goods, so he immediately filled tlie order for five 
plugs, thinking as I suppose, he had taken the pay. So 
after filling tlie order, he went to filling othei-s and my 
man asked with an oatli whether he was to get his change 
or not. The peddler gave him immediate attention and 
asked what it was. The reply was: "I handed you ten 
dollars," and the peddler innnediately handed over five 
dollars. We pushed out and started on — he handed me 
one ])lug and remarked, "Bill, here's four more, and five 
dollars I have left." 1 asked him wdiy he stood so long- 
before making order. Ife said: "[ wanted to see if lie 
was well supplied with ten dollar ])ills, so he would not 
catch u]) with me." 1 asked what that had to do with 
the matter, and he said: "Lots, for I did not have any 
money. ' ' 

The next is the sight of passing over and neai- the 
battlefield, seeing the destruction that it brought to man, 
beast and ])roi>erty — here a few^ graves, tliere a long line 
of new eartli, the dead thrown in masses, somewhat de- 
noting number — here destruction of conunissary's dead 
animals, vehicles, in fact a part of all that is neecssary 
to equip and give comfort to a large body of men, and 
the awful stench that at times would greet one's nos- 
trils, and in this instance myriads of flies. 

We were ])laced in cam]) a few miles fi-oui Kichiiioud. 
and a considerable distance from the battlefield so as not 
to be affected with the odoi- but the distance was not so 
great that it prevented great numbers of flies coming 
our way tliat were supi)osed to have originated on the 
battlefield. They were something less than the common 
house-fly, and when they l)it or sucked it left a stinging 
sensation, and when one lay down for a nap in daytime 



40 A ri'KK Skvkx Days' I)A'I"I'i.k. 

lie was forced to covei" uj), ms it were, head and ears. 
We stayed in this eanip (|iiite a wliile, resting, and our 
ranks were strengthened hy a nuniher of recruits from 
Liberty and Jefferson County, Texas. We passed off 
the time very well and roamed the country near l)y, at 
will, when not on duty; hut were prohibited from going 
into Richmond without a pass, and from disobedience 
of this order 1 served my first and last sentence in the 
guard house, or any other character of punishment for 
disobedience of orders. (V)m|)any "F" at this time was 
in charge of the first lieutenant, and he was at this camj) 
rather exacting of some; and T suppose it was caused by 
their disrespect and probable remarks, although T had 
made none; but he was satisfied that I had often been 
in position to see his weakness. I applied to him twice 
for a pass to go to Richmond after well explaining my 
mission, but was denied. One of my near neighbor boys 
and schoolmate, and the brother of my sister's hus])and, 
lay seriously wounded in the host)ital — he belonged to 
a Louisiana regiment. Lie sent me word that as soon 
as he was able he would get a furlough, and as his wound 
was through his breast and lung, he guessed he would 
not be able to do any more fighting; and he would like 
to see me once more, as we had not met for years ; and 
my anxiety was great to send my sister some word. 1 
determined to disobey orders, so the next morning I went 
to one of the boys who had a ])ass for the day and ex- 
plained conditions and asked his assistance in passing 
the picket guard line and that 1 would risk the city 
patrol. So we went to near picket guard and selected 
a favorable place. He passed on through and 1 w^ent 
down to a point selected in front of the guard and he in 
the rear. His pass landed, tied to a rock, at the proper 
place in front of the picket line. I picked it u}) and he 
and I continued on our course, passing a few guards. I 
entered and returned the pass and we went on to Rich- 
mond, parting as we entered the suburbs. As I w^as fair- 
ly well ])osted on the lay of the city and position of the 
hospital, I passed through the sul)urbs to avoid patrol 
which was mostly in density of the citv. Knowino- the 



Al'I'KH SkVKN DaVs' l>A'ni.K. 4.1 

hospital was well out on the ()i)})osit(' side of tlie city, 
1 feared no interference. Reached the hospital (). K., 
stayed till nearly dark and returned to camp, for there 
was no challenge made l)y ])icket guard, going in. The 
next morning I was put in the guard house and served 
sentence for not being at evening roll call. In a few days, 
Captain O'Brien returned and was, through some chan- 
nel or other, informed; and from what J was told, he ex- 
pressed his feelings to the lieutenant in very forcible 
words, disapproving his sentence. The captain said that 
when men had earned consideiation as T had, it was 
brutal to deny, for they never asked when services were 
needed. 

Our nearness to the city gave us a good numl)er of 
peddlers daily, both from country and city, and as there 
was no "pure food" law in force we bought about every- 
thing that was offered, without (piestion, if it suited our 
taste or fancy. Sausage was one of our favorite dishes, 
and as the vendors w^ere on hand in considerable num- 
bers early in the morning, we had sausage on the bill of 
fare when desired. So one morning, while our mess was 
eating, 1 found what I supposed was a cat's claw and 
all stop])ed eating at once and an examination was hur- 
riedlv made of the uneaten portion, and a cat's tooth 
was discovered. A report of the find was soon circu- 
lated and it was said that there were other finds of a 
similar character. Sausage was sold by weight and the 
more bone, the heavier. This was practicing "all things 
are fair in war." Some of the boys tried to vomit, but 
the cat kept on its downward course, so there was a 
slump in the sausage market; and as far as that cami> 
was concerned, no argument could reinstate sausage and 
it soon was not wanted, therefore, was not an article 
offered. 

As one was at libertv to roam the near country when 
not on dutv, but answering at morning and evening roll 
call, it gave good opportunity for near foraging, as it 
was called, and as a few miles out was well stocked witli 
ripe wild huckleberries and as 1 was very fon.l ot them. 



4'J Aktkk Skvkn Days' Batti.i^,. 

I made sevei'al trips. 1 would start out in ('oin})any with 
one of the boys, each beinj>' ecpiipped with a canteen, a 
pint cup and small amount of sugar, so we would stroll 
around until we saw a milch cow or cows grazing that 
were out of sight of house, and .if not, we sometimes, in 
passing, could "shoo" them and tliey soon were, so 
when the oportune moment came, one of us would grab 
the cow by the horns and the other would fill the can- 
teens with milk, then off to the nearest berry patch we 
would go and partly fill our cup with berries, then sugar 
and cream same. We would continue this process as 
often as necessary to fill our stomachs, then return to 
camp, feeling that we, at least, had eaten unadulterated 
berries and milk. The cattle were generally good milkers 
and the most of them very gentle, and I guess, from 
the number of boys who finally caught on, the milk 
maids at least thought some of their cows were drying 
up. This good thing did not last a great while, however, 
for the owners took to keeping the cattle in sight or un- 
der herder, and w^hen milk was not at hand, we did very 
well on berries and sugar. A short distance out of camp 
there was a macadamized pike with toll gate just before 
entering the city limits, and late in the evening there 
were a great number of huckster cars or wagons pass- 
ing into the city. 1 heard that it was amusing to watch 
the boys and the hucksters, so 1 took a good position near 
the pike for observation. At different places on the 
roadside the soldiers could be seen — lying down, walking, 
or playing — all seemed to be out for an airing. When 
the vehicles would pass going in slow trot, often in num- 
bers, one or two of the soldiers would drop in behind 
the vehicle and take sucli market products as could be 
reached, the driver, of course, looking ahead, while the 
drivei- in the rig behind would laugh and enjoy the sport 
of seeing his neighbor robl)ed — when the same thing was 
happening at the rear of his cart. It was surprising to 
see the amount of truck taken in this way, and it seemed 
to be so annising to the driver l)ehind that he lost all 
thought of his load and was all eyes to the front; and 



After Skvkx Days' P).\ttt,e. y.\ 

from the gTeat iniml)oi" of vehicles |);issini!:, there was 
quite a lot of foragin,s>' done in tliis way. It was several 
evenings before the hucksters caught on, after which they 
were watchful and this bro]-'e u]) the soldiers' i)rofit and 
sport. I remember heai'ing some of the ])oys say that 
some of those old feHows ])ut them in mind of an owl 
turning its head without moving its body. 

In this cam]) we had j^lenty to eat and were soon rested 
up and fattened so we could stand a long liaid drive to 
the next slaughter pen. Leaving this cam}), we were 
marched over the country, and from the ]>rivates' ])oint 
of view, we were hunting a fight. We did fairly well 
for food and when the commissary de})artment was slioi-t 
we would add roasting-ears and green apph's to the hill 
of fare; although the latter were green, but were con- 
sidered eatable by us, as the l)loom was off. It sure was 
a blessing that our stomachs had gotten near, as is said 
of the ostrich. I well remember at one time on this 
tramp, C^ompany "F" was detached from the regiment 
and stationed in a cornfield, near a stream. There could, 
at times, be seen some "Yanks" on the opposite side of 
the stream, but there was no shooting heard and the com- 
pany seemed to be held there for an emer<>"ency and was 
kept hid in tall corn which was in roasting-ears. W'c 
were all very hungry, but as yet had never made a meal 
of raw corn. As there was no chance of cooking any, 
some of the boys started eating and we soon were all 
feasting, less Captain O'Brien — he would ])eel the stalks 
and chew them as one does sugar cane. Some of the boys 
would joke the good natured old caj^tain and finally got 
him to partake of the same food as they said he was fur- 
nishing them, as they saw no other ]nirpose of our being 
herded in field l)ut to graze. The corn was of fine large 
ears and in the right stage of maturity for good eating. 
We were held at this point for several hours and while 
there I consumed four ears, and some of the lioys did 
better. There was a large man by the name of Benjamin 
who ate at least eight or ten ears and the boys would tell 
it on him and add a bundle of fodder. We wei'c ordered 



•^■^ AiTKR Skvkx Days' Batti.k. 

to return to on,- coiniuaiKl just before iii^-ht and found 
It a short distance to the rear. When leaving- the field 
the captain told us to gather what corn we wanted, so 
1 took to camp six ears. When we reached camp we soon 
had tires burning and the corn in shucks on them cook- 
ing, and we found this a quick and excellent way to cook 
corn as the shucks retain the flavor. We also drew 
liberally of fine fresh beef and this we also soon liad on 
the fire broiling in good size pieces. All was hurriedly 
done as we were told that we would take up the line of 
march soon. When the corn was about cooked and the 
meat good and hot, but very rare, we were ordered to 
fall m line. We did so, and the different methods of 
carrying hot food could not well be described. I partly 
shucked my ears of corn and carried bv the shucks, anil 
the beef on a short stick. It was near dark and we were 
marching slowly, and as soon as the food was cool enough 
I commenced lightening my load to the extent of cob and 
shuck. From the size of my piece of meat and six large 
ears of corn I supposed I could have supper and break- 
fast, but such was not the case; for I could not resist 
eating the whole of it. When I was through I figured 
the contents of stomach : four green and six cooked roast- 
ing ears and raw beef in proportion. T rather ex])ected 
some ill effects from gormandizing, but such was not ■ 
the case, and I guess the preventative was the night's 
marching. We were generally well sup])lied with tobac- 
co--if the i)lug man was not handy we could raid the 
drying shed and be contented with the pure and unadul- 
terated leaf. 



Battle of St'oond Maiiasas 

We filially reaclicd a i)()iiit neai- and froiitiiii'- where we 
entered tlie battle of Second Maiiasas, and on tiie eve 
of the same day were thrown a eonsideralile distance to 
the front, or rather making' a night attack. I snppose 
this was done to keep the enemy from fortifyini,^ then- 
front, which it did, for we fong-ht over the same gronnd 
next day in open field. Tliis was the first and last of 
my experience attacking the enemy in force at night. 
There was but little damage done on either side, so far 
as I knew, for tlie amount of shooting and inixing. 
When we went in, we soon ran over their first bat- 
tle line, and from the number of the enemy that 
]mssed to our rear, one would suppose that the cap- 
ture was large; but from what I learned it was not, as 
most of them went out on flank or hid and were passed 
as we went back in the dark. The first line we encoun- 
tered was on our side of a small stream that I under- 
stood was "Bull Run." We crossed the stream and were 
mixed u]) with the enemy considerably while they were 
making their wav to the rear. There was but little, if 
anv, shooting after we crossed the stream, for we were 
so "scattered and it was so dark that it was impossible to 
distinguish friend or foe, unless you were near arm's 
length of each other. When we reached the toi)()l the 
hill, the officer attempted to form line, but not with any 
view of com])anv or regiment— the command was ''Halt, 
and get in line," men." 1 suppose some of our officers 
at least saw what a ])redicament we were in, and the or- 
der to halt and fall in line might have originated from 
an under officer or ])rivate. All was confusion and could 
not have been otherwise unless we had formed near the 
bank of the stream after crossing. Wheii we were ha ted, 
near to our front could be seen a dark line of something 
and in forming. The left of our line or part of the Iront 
that T was in, commenced forming on this dark object 
and those near had seen that it was men, and some "Reb 



46 Battle of Second Manasas. 

asked what coiimiand it was, and tlie reply giving- the 
regiment, nnml)er and state, was enough to give one the 
creeps or cold chills I was only a short distance from 
the head of the line, and our column was forming at an 
angle of not over twenty degrees in front of the enemy. 
The order ^'ahout face, march" was instantly given and 
])romptly obeyed, and as far as T was concerned, and I 
suppose others who heard tUe name of the regiment felt 
somewhat as I did and that was walk off quickly but 
lightly, and keep heart from thumping loud for fear of 
detection. Tt sure was fortunate for us that the enemy 
did not ask first w^hat command w^e w^ere, for one w^ell 
dii'ected volley w^ould have gotten scores of "Rebs" and 
a few "Yanks," and it was supposed that the enemy had 
taken us for their re-forming front, not knowing that a 
lai-ge per centage of them had laid dowai and skulked to 
the rear after being passed over. There was a sigh of 
relief wdien we were well dowm the hill and out of dan- 
ger of the enemy. 

We returned to the ])()int from where we started during 
the night and stayed in line of battle the better part of 
the next day. Wlien I had sle})t and rested I got a per- 
mit to go to the front, but with no special mission to 
fill; it w^as purely to satisfy individual curiosity, and as 
I could under certain conditions get a front leave l)y ask- 
ing, 1 made use of it when the s])irit moved. While to 
the front I was at or near our picket right and w^ent some 
distance to the right front. AMiile on my rambles I went 
into one of the enemy's infirmaries near our picket 
front and flank. T found quite a lot of wounded which 
was the w^ork of our night raid. They seemed to be well 
cared for, under the conditions, by their army medical 
corps and one could tell at a glance that the facilities for 
such work w^ere su])erior to ours, but one's thought when 
seeing the enemy's hel])less wounded are far different 
than when seeing the dead. My thoughts on seeing the 
dead w^ere without one pang of regret or sorrow^; but it 
was the reverse to see the living suffering. I talked with 
several of the wounded and they seemed to carry no 



Battle "F Sk(<'NI. Manasas. 



47 



„„|i,.,. ns sc.Mu. nl- (l,..n. mnark,.,!: -Tl,.. .1,, hnn.cs wore 
doins.- the same as tlu-y had heci. tryins t.i ' "■ ".'U, 

somewhat amused, however, w,th one fme '""l^ «• " 
t,llisent ^•o,u,« fellow, who, fvon, appearances ami ,■< m^ 
...rs^tion had lived on the hright s,de of " «-. - ->;;,^ 
l,-,s feet and slowly niovmg aho„t; ho sa,d • ^^ 

what von fellows have done i'-.r ..,.■. 1 «n„l, ^ t t 
Unllet had S'one thronsl. my lu.,. . a.,.1 I «•"-";> - 
will hnnt another fellow when sh,. hears , M 

seemed to he taking- his condition greatly »""■■■' 
thought he had .inst gronnds. tlu'retore e..u 1 od ^ 

,,-ithT7e- Imt there could he no relief in tint. "".''' 
t front sitting on to,, of a w„rm rail ren.;c. I win e'l 
l,t what was ciTUed a "Kentucky hutton" lor "0 <lra« 
"ertt wood wis of dried oaK, and the hnttoii ,.,.^ 

f esh healing and closing over a woody snhstanee. as 

t Llflnn'o- hefore I returned to the couimand. l-icni. 

though we we™ hunting a sci-ap and f- ^'^ „ j-J 

seen and heard -'1^-- „:t^,,tinne before .letf 
Yanks to give battle. 1 «as ""t ' ".- j ^ 

Chaison, Benjamin and l/,*"-^^,^^" *" *^ being issued, 
Company "F" rations of 1>«<:™ Jhat ^««^;^'^.;, ^,,„., 

and the detail surely «l'l"-7'^>'ll|f :,,f .Ju.ilhow they 



48 Batti.r of Second Manasas. 

sometimes the detail could riu^o- in a few new arrivals or 
steal something, which was legitimate if not caught in 
the act ; and if one was, near time of battle, he would 
expect no punishment as there is nothing that will set- 
tle up all differences more quickly than one's duty well 
performed in battle line. The meat was large, fat mid- 
dlings and "F" detail had been liberally treated, so that 
when we reported to the sergeant at the comi)any and 
delivered our bacon, he was told not to consider detail 
in issuing. He asked no questions, but connnenced at 
once to issue. Jeff, Benjamin and I stei)ped a short dis- 
tance off and cut in three parts what w^e had gotten with- 
out price or begging. We had no more than got our meat 
stowed in our haversacks l)efore we were ordered to fall 
in line. The company's bacon had not been fully issued, 
but the boys grabbed it up and divided it the best they 
could, as we marched to the front. The movement to 
the front was fast walking, and as we all knew well what 
was coming from the roar to our left, there could be no 
mistake, so we were soon near enough in for the shells 
that were being thrown by the enemy's guns to make us 
forget bacon and hunger. I merely "mention this bacon 
incident to show how our ill-gotten i)art of it went. I 
was soon shot down, Benjamin shortly afterwards was 
killed, Jeff in his scrambles in crossing Bull Run got 
his haversack full of water and cut it off. We went in, 
nearly over the same ground that we passed the previous 
night. Wa were just emerging from a piece of woods 
that had but little underbrush and were well closed up 
and alignment good; we wcic closing to left and were ob- 
li(]uing. I was not aware of the enemy's nearness and I 
don't sui)])ose the officers were; I thought they came from 
('reek Valley to near the brow of the hill when we were 
sighted coming in, for the country was oi)en and we could 
well be seen from the opposite side of the creek where 
their reserve was stationed, so at a distance of about one 
hundred and fifty yards the enemy was lying down, 
and rose up in masses and fired one volley. " I and one 
other member of Hood's Brigade fell wounded. As T 



I)ATTi.K OF Second Manasas. 49 

was obliciuiiii;' to tlic left Uic l>uiU't rallicr cut across my 
bowels and made a loiii;- ami u^iy wound. One of the 
boYs told me tliat T fell face upward and was lau^dimy:. 
I had always some fear of receivino- a wound in the 
stomach, if ever 1 was so nnfortnnate as to i^et one, and 
had made a ])ractice of wearing- my cartridg-e box to the 
front when battling, and in this instance it would have 
protected me if 1 had not been obliquing. I sui.j.osc wlicu 
1 was struck I fainted, for the first 1 knew was wlieu I 
raised to a sitting position and the boys were some dis- 
tance to the front, shooting and yelling at the fleeing 
enemv 1 could see the dead Yanks, as I supposed them 
to be" Iving thick in the battle line— they were a finely 
dressed set and made a gaudy-looking cor].se. 1 did not 
see the enemv when they arose and fired as 1 guess at 
the instant T was looking to the left, as wc were closing 
in that direction. 1 was feeling no pain, Init te t some- 
what dazed and on looking down I saw a rent m the front 
of my i)ants. T soon had cartridge box oft and ])ants 
unbuttoned and as I saw the wound 1 lay on my b|;ck 
with the idea that I was shot m the boNvels. ■.' 

p-rape shot and shell were pouring in thick .ii.d 
fast in our rear, a great number ^f '^^^. ^f ';;; , '! 
the intended mark, and it made me hopeful at 
would soon put an end to my existence. 1 m od 
mv head to the enemy, thmkmg 1 might i)e so loi- 
?^nate as to get a dead shot-they poured around 
but none hit. 'l would raise niv head often and see il 
I could discover any signs of dischargee from torn intes- 
tines, but could discover none. I ^^'^l ^^'"^^V i"'"! -. 
famishing, as T had heard that one often died -y^' 
of water when bleeding badly I was tw-n^ to oc 
some water in the rear. The wound at 
was not bleeding and never did, more than c u ugh 
to stain my clothes; but, internally, 1 -^MM>-r';!'^ ' ^j' . 
T thought possil)lv that It was for want of food that 
{here was no sign of discharge and it did not take ong 
for all these ideas to flash through u.y "'•''•I- ^ ^ ; 
short space of time hoi^e returned and 1 thought that 



50 Rattt.e (w Second Manasas, 

possibly I was not niortally wounded; then fear was up- 
permost and I crawJed about fifty feet to a well rotted 
stump, thinking- it would protect me from shot. I was 
jiot much more than settled behind it when the idea 
struck me that a g^rape could go through, so I dragged 
myself to a good sized tree about one hundred feet off 
and stayed there some time in a reclining i)osition, with 
head and shoulders resting against the tree. My pants 
and drawers were open and well off the wound. I saw 
quite a number of the finely uniformed Yanks running 
to the rear, and was satisfied their line of dead was les- 
sening by quite a number. As I lay in this position, 
looking over my right shouldei- and to the rear as far 
as I could see around the tree, I saw one of the "play 
dead Yanks" getting to the rear with a revolver in his 
hand. He would have passed about one hundred feet to 
my right, if he had kept straight forward. I could see 
he was a private and T concluded the ]:>istol was taken 
from some dead or badly wounded officer and that he 
had it for no good purpose. Oh how I wished for my 
gun so I could disarm him ! The thought had no more 
than struck me when he caught sight of me and turned 
from his course and made straight for me in a trot. My 
wish for my gun was multiplied instantly; T felt sure 
he was going to end my existence. He trotted uji to 
within a few feet of me and raised the ))istol pointing 
toward my head, but instantly lowered it and gave a 
low grunting sneer and trotted on — there was not a 
word spoken. T suppose he glanced at my wound, and 
either weakened from the sight, or thought he would be 
doing a humane act if he. put me out of mysery. T judged 
him to be a foreigner of low caste and not long from 
his native soil. About this time our front was crossing 
Bull Run and struck the "blue coats," as they called 
them, and they thought it was the same line that we had 
attem])ted to form on when we made the ni^ht raid, and 
from what they saw and heard, the front line was com- 
posed of New York Zouaves and such like; that a fine, 
showy uniform was at the bottom of their patriotism. 



Battle of Skcoxd Manasas. ■)] 

as tliey would not retreat and flight and at the first vol- 
ley they were either dead, wounded or piayino- dead, or 
running- like hell; but the "blue coats" on the ridge were 
a tongh set to move, and there was no one that 1 ever 
heard speak of it but said that if the Zouaves had stood 
like men, we would have had a very tough job ; and the re- 
sult might have been different. 

In our innnediate front, while the battle was i-oaring 
across the creek, the litter bearers came in sight across 
an opening. A pair of them with litter had ventured as 
far as I was, and 1 being the first man, was hopeful that 
I would soon be cared for. They came up and had tlieir 
litter stretched and lying by my side, and were in tlie 
act of helping me on — from the roar and amount of fly- 
ing grape and shell there nmst have been a new Ijattery 
coming into action, and I guess I was in luck that I was 
not on stretcher, and on their shoulders, for 1 think they 
would have dropped me. The first round the batter\- 
fired scared them and they did not take time to fold Hit- 
ter, but grabbed it by the same end and were off at 
speed; and me cursing and calling them all mannei- of 
hard names, but did not stop them. The sight was so 
ridicukms that I could not liclp laughing. My wound 
was not hurting a ])article, but left hip and leg were 
paralyzed or deadened. I waited a short tune, think- 
ing tlie litter beai-ers would i-eturn, Imt as they did not, 
I concluded to make an effort to get to the rear as the 
tide of battle might change and i might be a wounded 
captive; so I pulled myself u]), found that T could stand 
on the wounded side without pain and by takuig hold 
of my pants leg with my hand 1 found J could slowly 
move to the rear. I did not go far before a straggler of- 
fered help audi accepted. I rested my Iclt arm on 
his riglit shoulder and nuide fair time by ho]. ping with 
my right foot and dragging the left. In sometlnng less 
than a half mile to the rear I crawled iii an ambulance 
and was carted to the field infirmary. Before reaching 
the am1)ulance, however, leaning on my lieli)er, there was 
a courier i)assing Hinder apparent horse speed, lie was 



52 Battle ok Second Manasas. 

about two hundred feet away and to the right front— a 
shell struck them and exploded, and there was a scat- 
tering of parts of both man and horse, and I took it to 
be a percussion shot that exj)loded when hitting. My 
man gave me a hard wrench and received a cursing for 
the same. A short distance further on I was somewhat 
amused but cursing mad. Near in front there was a 
wash, or gully, in the field and there started a rain 
of unexploded shell. They were skipping, bouncing and 
rolling at a lively rate, passing near and on each side 
of us. My man turned me loose and hid out in the gully 
and no words that I had at connnand could move him 
until the battery ceased shelling in our direction. 

Arriving at the infirmary, I was soon stretched on 
my pallet, and from appearances, I was not first by 
quite a number. I lay there until the time, I suppose, 
was well in the after part of the night, with now and 
then a man passing looking after our w^ants. There 
struck me at a point in my hip a sensitive feeling which 
1 was satisfied was the dead coming to life, and it was 
but a short s])ace of time before 1 was suffering greatly. 
I felt the place and by pressing hard I was satisfied I 
had located the bullet; and I asked one of the boys to 
hunt a doctor, as I was suffering greatly. He did so, 
and said he would come soon. This did not satisfy me, 
and 1 asked him to return and insist that 1 get innne- 
diate relief. Three of them reported promptly. They 
found me laying on my right side. I put my finger to 
the point and asked them to cut in and get the bullet out. 
They gave the wound a hurried inspection and felt at 
point for the bullet, but said they could find none. I 
stated the dead condition of the hip and when reaction 
set in, the ])oint I had indicated was the first to l)e 
sensitive, and I had pressed hard and had well located 
the bullet; and I w^anted them to cut in and get it out as 
it was lodged on the hi]) bone. They hesitated a few 
seconds and had some words, which I heard ; and they 
were debating the advisability. I broke in by saying: 
"By doing what T say you will save my life; without it 



Ai"i'KK l)Airi.r; oi' Six'oM) Maxasas. ;">.') 

I will die." Without t'urtliei- question tliey commenced 
to cut and from the way the knife pulled the muscle, I 
took it to be very dull, and was expressiui^ my views in 
very forcible terms when one of them i-emaked : "If 
you don't hush u]) we will leave you." My re])ly was, 
"It don't hurt as badly when I am cursino." They were 
not long in extracting- the bullet and oui- division sur- 
geon remarked: "Youi- chances are good, with ])roper 
care; but at first I thought different." 1 said: "Doc, 
I don't think I will ever die by a Yankee bullet." He 
said, " Vou will get well." 

I was taken, with a lot of others, to some nearby town 
or station and (piartered. My first sto}) was in a small 
house. A few of us were put in a room, Ki or 18 feet 
square, and near to my right side was ])laced the 5th 
Texas color bearer. He w^as shot below the knee and 
through the fleshy part or calf of the leg. In camp near 
Richmond, after the seven days' fight, he spoke to me 
about taking the flag, and said there were some who 
wanted him for color bearer, but he cared nothing for 
the position, and asked me if T would accept it and re- 
marked that he thought it would be in better hands with 
me. jMy words were, in effect, as follows: "You are 
mistaken, for I feel I am too cowardly for a flag-bearer 
to risk myself; and I find the oftener 1 can load and shoot 
the better able am I to maintain my honor. In fact, 1 
have said I never would i)ick up a flag, going into battle, 
for I would not lay down my gun when 1 thought there 
was a chance to kill a Yankee." He took the flag and 
from what I saw and heard, he always bore it creditably. 

Now, returning to our i)allets : We were not long there 
before I heard him sighing and at times in a low tone, 
mourning. I asked him his ti'oubles and he stated he 
was going to die, and went on with a statement of his 
lamentable condition, telling me of dear ones at home and 
he so far away; and that he would never see them again. 
After he got through, I rather made fun of him, and said 
if I had been wounded no worse than he. 1 would at 
least keej) on through the fight, and after that I would 



54 After Battle of Second Manasas. 

have good excuse to get to the rear and have a good 
time, and lie ought now to be looking out for some sweet 
girl to talk to. He said : "Oh, well ; that is the way you 
look at it, but if I had l)een wounded as badly as you, I 
would have died on the battle field." The conversation 
droi)})ed here, and I gave it but little thought; for my 
mind was on getting a furlough and the good time 1 
was planning. After a good night's sleep, I felt con- 
siderably refreshed and was ready for breakfast, which 
was soon served. My "boy companion," as I will call 
him — for his age made him near such — told me that he 
had slept but little during the night; and from that, com- 
menced talking of his lamentable condition as he had be- 
fore. 1 let him talk at length and was satisfied that 
tlieie was great seriousness on his part. I told him he 
must cheer u}) ; that he was homesick and from what I 
heard, it took a determined will to throw it off, and that 
a man who could face shot and shell as he had, and at 
that, knowing he was the center target, had determina- 
tion enough to not think and talk as he did, if he would 
try. We were that evening taken to other quarters, l)ut 
separated. My parting feelings were pity and sympathy 
to see a dear boy like him suffering so much of mind. In 
a short time J heard he was dead, and I suppose the re- 
port was correct, as I have not heard of him since. The 
change of quarters was only an improvement in so far 
as the size of the room, as there were a greater number 
at one place. I remained at this place and had my two 
doses of morphine administered each twenty-four hours 
for quite a while. AVhile there I had a severe case of 
flux and I sure did suffer, as I was forced to lay on my 
back and the least motion of left hip caused great pain. 
While I was in this condition there were some of the 
boys discharged or furloughed. I well remember the 
parting words of two as they bid me good-l)ye : "Bill, 
we are sorry we will never see you again." My reply 
was: "I am not going to be off long, for I am only 
going to ask for sixty days' furlough." One of them 
remarked: "When vou get it, it will be for the other 



After Ba'iti.e ok Skcdni) Manasas. .'),") 

world." My reijly was: " l^)()ys, il" you don't j;et killcnl 
before, 1 will soon fool yon by tnrniui"' nj) in camp." 
Such talk as this had not a ])article of effect on my 
mind. In due time the wound commenced cleaniuiz; and 
one-half of a horn pants button, half of wooden ])ei< 
that I have mentioned, piece of drawers and pants, each 
the size of a silver quarter came out. From this, the 
wound healed rapidly. 1 was furnished water and clotii 
and did my own wound dressing. In those days water 
and a wet cloth was what was mostly used for wounds; 
and with each wound I received, this was the only reme- 
dy, less acid, to stop gangrene in foot wound. When I 
left the hospital I had sixty days' furlougli and a few 
months' pay. My transportation was by rail to the Mis- 
sissippi River, and after crossing the river, walking. 
When about thirty miles out from Alexandria, Louisi- 
ana, I stopped one evening in front of a house stei)s, of 
what I took, from surroundings, as l)eing the residence 
of a rich planter. There was a num on the front i)orch 
and I asked if he lived there. He replied that he was 
the proprietor. I asked if I could stay all night, and he 
answered that he did not take in soldiers. I told him 
where I was headed for, and that I was thoroughly worn 
out and could walk but little further without food and 
rest; and if I passed on I would not be ahle to make the 
next place, which would force me to lay down on the road- 
side. He still refused. I turned loose on him, and sure 
said enough, and from the language I used I guess that 
a man of his refinement thought I was not well reared 
and had been keeping bad company. Among othei- 
things I told him that the war was not over yet and as 
I was in for the term it might fall to my lot to help keep 
the Yanks out of Louisiana; l)ut I sure would (put figlit- 
ing and trv to get the other boys to do so when the 
Yanks turned his way, and that 1 would feel revenged 
when I saw his place going up in smoke. I le finally said ; 
"I o-uess vou can stop at the overseer's," and pointed to 
a house a short distance off. I said: "If lie is a poor 
I can " I called at the house and was adiiulted 



man, 



56 Aktkk BA'ni.K ok Skcond Manasas, 

without a word, and was treated first class. I told the 
overseer something- of wliat I had said to his boss, but 
he said very little. By breakfast the overseer was ad- 
vised of my condition and my mode of travel, which 
was walk a little and ride every chance when a wag'on 
was going my w^ay. After l)reakfast he said he was 
going down the road a few miles and asked me to get 
into the l)ugg'y. I did so and soon saw a few miles 
stretching out. After traveling some time at a good gait 
we overhauled a wagon headed my way. The overseer 
seemed to have some authority over the colored driver 
for he halted him and instructed that he put me at the 
ferry landing, opposite Alexandria, w^iich he did. I 
thanked my benefactor, and told him I guessed his boss 
was a better man than I thought he was, as I was credit- 
ing both of them for the ride and asked him to say to 
his boss for me that, should it fall to my lot to liel]) keej) 
the Yanks off of him, that i would do my best. Av- 
riving at Alexandria, I was detained one day, w^aiting 
for the stage coach to leave. When it did, I boarded it, 
and was driven about forty miles. 1 alighted and walivcd 
about two miles to sister's. Some miles before I left tlie 
stage, seeing no one whom I knew and such a change af- 
ter my six years' absence, gave me a feeling that T hn { 
never before ex})erienced. Some times I would catch m} 
self wishing that I had never come; for, after leaving 
my boyhood home, I had at times a great desii'e to visit 
it, as I had gotten it into my head that there was more 
l^leasure in the surrounding country than any place on 
earth; and, in my case, I guess it was so; but now it 
seemed that all my pleasant anticipations were blasted. 
It did not prove so, however; for when I had accus- 
tomed myself to the change, the time flew fast. I re- 
mained as long as my sixty days' furlough would per- 
mit, making a fair estimate of time lost through deten- 
tion in transportation, and I arrived at my command 
with thi-ee days to spare. I did not report for duty, 
thinkiui*- I would be more free to go and come at will. 



Battle of Frederioksbur;^, Virjiiiiia 

1 found my coiiunand just below Fi'cdciickshin-o-, \'ii-- 
ginia, near the Rap])aliannoc'k River. Tlicy wei-e camped 
near the line of l)attle, on the brow of woodland liills. 
Soon after reaching the company, L got my gun and siij)- 
ply of cartridges, but saw little chance of getting off to 
train my gun. This I always did, when op])ortimity of- 
fered after getting gun and would test every few months. 
The enemy was strongly posted on the opposite side of 
the river, and were shelling the valley on our side. The 
next morning after reaching camp 1 went to the froiU. 
In i)assing along the outpost I met Captain Ike Tui'uer 
of the 5th Regiment. He had quite a s<iuad undei- his 
conmiand doing out])ost duty. He was on a public road 
that ran parallel with the river and was protected by a 
stone fence. His position was something over a (juarter 
of a mile from the river — the country was open, both 
front and rear. He seemed to be glad to see me back 
and ready for duty, and said he had a job for me and 
that he was satisfied I could get the information wanted; 
said he had sent men to the front three times that morn- 
ing, but all had failed. He said that it was thought that 
the enemy were putting in a pontoon bridge near a house 
on the bank of the river, which was directly in his front 
and from his view ])oint, it was the only place of unseen 
observation, but the country was so open it was danger- 
ous to ai)pr()ach, as the oi)posite banks were well elevated 
and lined with men and ])atteries, as I could see, and the 
men who had left hiding and attem])ted to crawl to the 
front had been driven back before they got far out. I 
looked to the front and left; saw some small timbei- 
growth, and said: "Captain, T guess there is a hollow 
or drain to the river and 1 will try that." His repl\- was : 
"It is some distance above the point and open to the 
house." 1 started and was but a short distance in the 
hollow when I found an old negro man and woman who 



58 Battle of F'khdkhickskurg. 

were trying" to get to the rear. The man was small in 
size, and his wife large and nearly helpless and if 1 re- 
member right, she had one arm broken. I got what in- 
formation I could and went forward. When I got op- 
l)osite the house I saw, by crawling down the corn rows, 
that I wonld be reasonably safe in getting near the back 
of the house. The ridges ran in the right direction, 
therefore, I did not have to crawl over any of them to 
make my point. This movement was not on hand and 
knees, but on my stomach. When I was near and in the 
rear of the house, I crawled on my hands and knees and 
was soon in the house; found that it had been well bom- 
barded, and from the looks of things, the occupants had 
moved hurriedly. There were a number of shots that 
had passed through the house and tore the inner con- 
tents in great shape. I picked up from the floor a good 
table knife and silver teas])oon. The house was on a 
desirable location near the river bank; it was of fair size 
and two stories high, and from inward appearances, had 
been occupied by wealthy people. I was soon on the 
second fk)or, but had to be very cautious, as the men 
with small arms and battery on the opposite bank were 
too close for comfort, and with the most of the windows 
broken out and several holes on the river side of the 
house, it made me crawl around on my stomach, in the 
wreckage. 1 made the iowei" corner of the room 
and took observation through a rent in the wall. 1 saw 
about three hundred yards below the house, the point of 
kiying in the pontoon bridge, and the second bank at 
that point had allowed the material for the ])ontoon to 
be placed there at night and they could put it in unob- 
served by our lines during the day. I saw from the way 
the men were working that it was not a rush job. From 
the position in wliicli 1 was I could see a large wheat 
straw pile below the house and about four hundred yards 
from the point of the pontoon landing, on our side. I 
was soon on my way out and nuide my report to C^aptain 
Turner, and asked if he objected to my spending the 
balance of the day on the straw pile, as 1 was much in- 



RaTTI.K of F'liKDKiaCKSI'.I-Hf;. 50 

terested in tlio la>iiii;' in of the pontoon, lie said he liad 
none; but it looked like great risk for individual ,i;-|-atifi- 
cation. 1 said tliere was no ,i>-reater I'isk in niakiiii;- the 
hay i)ile than tliere was a mile off of I'ivei- hank, as I had 
my way picked out and would get there unobserved, and 
that it was my judgment there would be no crossing till 
near dark, and I conid run to tlie rear of the stack some 
distance and not be ol)served. I made my way back and 
was soon on toj) of the hay stack, sitting down. It was 
a fine place for watching the bridge gang, and was ob- 
servable from our out])ost. I thought the eneni\- would 
not attempt to dislodge me, for their only chance would 
have been to have gotten in the first shot and I was suic 
not to start it. J could have annoyed them greatly, had 
they fired on me and missed aim, for the straw heap was 
fully eight feet high and seventy-five feet long, and wa> 
too broad to be penetrated by cannot shot; and I guess 
their efforts to fire the house with its inflammable con- 
tents made it questionable as to the hay pile. I remained 
comfortable, sitting and lying, and sure did enjoy sevei-al 
hours of sight-seeing. The men loked at me considera- 
bly at first, but I was aj^parently unnoticed by the lu'idge 
gang, although the hoys on the river bank who were in 
line seemed to be interested. I heldniy i)osition till near 
dark, when the enemy connnenced running over the 
bridge. 1 slid off the hay and made good time to the 
rear. Their crossing was a little earliei- than I had ex- 
pected, and as soon as they made the to]) of the bank, 
the bullets that came my way were many; but I made 
the run wdthout any mishap. I have often thought since 
of the little judgment T used in not moving out as I had 
come in earlier. When 1 I'eturned to camp, the boys were 
expecting battle the next day, as it was sup|)osed they 
had all their i^ontoons in and would make the crossing 
that night. This proved true, and there was some lively 
times from that on, until the enemy crossed hack. TIk' 
Texas Brigade was held in reserve and was not called 
into action during the fight. After battling the greater 
part of the day. things (piieted down for the night and 



60 RaTTLK ok FHKDKHICKSHrHCi. 

all who could, went to rest. 1 had not been on my pallet 
long before 1 was ordered to report to General Robert- 
son. I reported and was ordered to the front to investi- 
gate and see if the enemey was not falling back. I soon 
was in front of our day's firing lines and saw that our 
men had protection by a railroad grade, and just to their 
front and some distance back the enemy's dead lay in 
great numbers, I passed on until I came near a closely 
de])loyed picket line; saw^ no opportunity of slipping 
through; could hear nothing to the front as the wind was 
blowing near a gale, so 1 slowly returned, pushing part 
of the time my left leg to the front or hopping; made 
my report and was ordered back to the company. My 
day and night's outing had nearly numbed my left hip 
and leg. A few hours' sleep rested it and I felt but lit- 
tle inconvenience from the wound after that. In the 
morning we were sent to the front to relieve the battle 
line that I had passed through during the night, and 
nearly all the dead Yankees who were in sight were 
naked. The enemy had recrossed the river and the ])osi- 
tion was too far from the enemy's line to permit of 
damage from field artillery, therefore there was hut lit- 
tle firing done at Lee's right and the enemy's left; in 
fact, there was but little artillery practice heard, so when 
we had taken our |)lace as relief, we were not confined 
to line and all who washed were sight-seeing a short dis- 
tance to the front, as the dead bodies were all nearly 
naked and lying mostly on their backs. There was ex- 
posed to view^ a surprisingly large number of them who 
-were so diseased, one would think: "Why weren't you 
fellows all in the hospital; or, were you run into our 
])rotected front to ])ut an end to your miseralile condi- 
tion," and the idea that struck me was: "What will the 
Yanks be fighting us with next, and was not their ending 
the better for them." I think I saw the youngest boy 
laying beside what we took to be his father, that I ever 
saw-, either dead or alive, on battle field. The condi- 
tion of the dead bodies attracted ((uite a lot of sight- 
seers; so much so that it attracted the enemy's attention. 



I).\ rii.K oi' FHKi)Kiii(KSHri{(;. 61 

far away to our rii;lit and up ncai- tlic froul of l-'i-cdcr- 
icksbiirg, what was said to l)e five or six miles off, on an 
elevation, they had a thirty-two ])oimd rifle cannon sta- 
tioned and they turned it loose our way, and while they 
did our line no damage, they snrely did some close shoot- 
ing- and ])ut several shots near that tore good sized holes 
in the ground. As soon as they o])ened on us, we made 
back at quick time to lay down. While we wcic Ixiuu- 
there, there was an amusing incident rejx'atcd several 
times in Company "F." There was one of the boys who 
was a natural coward, and when he was unkiu)wino|y 
caught in a trap he had no control over his feai'. As we 
could see the puff up at each discliarge of cannon, and 
the apparent long time it took for the sliell to land, it 
was very trying on the nerves of the l)est, as tliey could 
feel that the shot was on its way and did not know what 
point of our line it was aimed at, which nuide every fel- 
low for a few hundred yards in front have an indesci-iba- 
ble feeling. The man referred to lay well flattened out 
with hat off his head, and held at arm's length to front, 
when the smoke was sighted and would stay in that posi- 
tion until the shot struck. After a few shots some of the 
boys seemed to get over the spell of fear and were nuik- 
ing the best of a bad condition, and would call out. " l')) 
goes smoke," which was often false. This |)()or fi-iyht- 
ened being would make an effort to bury his face in the 
ground, and strain his arms to the fi'ont to ward off the 
sliot with hat, if it came his way. The act was so 
ridiculous that it was laughable, uudei- the ti-yin^- coudi 
tions, and the most of the com])aiiy cujoxcd tlic fun at 
the i)oor coward's ex]iense. The enemy ceased firing 
when T sup])ose they thought we had learned to (piit in- 
specting and enjoying their naked dead, as they could 
well see with their field glasses. 

We w^ere not kept in this ])osition long, and while mov- 
ing around 1 saw some parts of the battle line other tlian 
our front had lieen busy, for in front and near the city 
T saw more dead bodies of the right kind, covering- broad 
acres, than it was ever mv ])leasure to see before or 



62 After Battle of Fredericksburg. 

since. Those who have never battled often tliink sneli 
expressions as this are l)rutal. If they are correct, all 
courageons soldiers are brntes ; for they enlist to battle, 
if so ordered, and as fighting- is a dangerous thing, the 
more dead the less risk; and if one shudders at a dead 
enemy, he has lint little jilace in the ranks, for it is a sure 
sign it is the otliei- fellow's work. The faces of the dead 
on this field, and others, i-eminded nie of the iiarting 
words of father, that: "They had the world to draw 
from." I saw that our ]iart of the line had stripped the 
dead the most. The unacxpiainted would think that this 
work was done hy the line soldiei", but was not, only in 
case of actual necessity. It was largely done near Rich- 
mond and by those who made a business of it, as the 
clothing, when washed, was good stock in second hand 
stores and its benefit was that it su])plied the wanting 
soldier and poor citizen at a low price. I heard of no 
effort to stop the ])ractice, and there was no harm in 
strijiping the dead, when the party stri|)ped was a ])arty 
to blockading our ports, which created the urgent neces- 
sity. 

From Fredericksburg our movements were such that 
memory fails to connect my tramp for a while; therefore, 
I may fail to chain up as well as I have up to this time. 
If T remember correctly, we wintered on hills not a great 
way out from Rappahannock River and below Freder- 
icksburg. At this camp T well remember my messes' ex- 
perience with the winter house we built. The splitting 
of boards was rather hard, with the tools which we had, 
and as we had — with others — been instructed to build 
some sort of protection (as there was not a sufficient 
number of tents for all) my mess constructed our quar- 
ters by digging a pit about fourteen feet square and 
something over two feet dee)), logging up sides so roof 
would be above our heads. The roof was made of poles 
with the necessary support underneath to permit a good 
amount of earth to be thrown on in cone shape to make 
a very warm roof, and supposed to be waterproof. We 
had not been occu]\ving it long and had been praising our 



After Rattle of Frrdricksrt'rg. 63 

ability as constiuetors of waiiii quarters clieaj), when one 
evening we had a heavy rain and did not have a leak. 
After the rain ceased, we visited a niim])er of shacks and 
found the most of them reported "leaky." AVe went to 
bed that night with thought of warm and dry house, and 
were soon sound asleep. During the night we were 
awakened by dropping water and it increased to liard 
rain. We were up, striking lights and found the rain 
of the day before was just reaching us, as the rain had 
not run off but had gone into the roof. We moved bed- 
ding out before it was very wet and took to the open air 
for the balance of the night. The next morning we baik^d 
our house out while the other fellows were having their 
laugh at our predicament; but before the next rain we 
had a tent fly stretched over the dirt roof and passed 
the balance of the winter comfortably. 

As I was considered a good cook, the boys were always 
ready to fill my mess duties if I would cook. T was not 
stuck on cooking, and would only now and then do it out 
of regular time by helping in pastry part, and making 
light rolls; and as they were very fond of rolls for 
breakfast I generally got out of the mess wood gather- 
ing. AMiile at this camp I made several rab1)it hunts in 
the snow, but only captured two. The ral)bits were i)len- 
tiful, but the soldiers outnumbered them by great odds 
so that the supply was quickly exhausted. At this place, 
I guess the greatest snowball battle of the age was 
fought. It started near where we were quartered, by two 
companies, and they were reinforced from time to time, 
spreading from company to comi)auy, to regiment from 
regiment, to ])rigade from brigade, to division by opi^os- 
ing forces consolidating as they passed from one i)oint 
to others; officers soon joined in, both line and mounted 
field, and somewhat brought about order. Couriers 
eould be seen going to and from, same as in batttle, witli 
horses at speed, so the word was passed to the front and 
as there was one encampment after another charged, the 
excitement was grand; regiment after regiment, briga<h> 
after brgade and division after division joined iu. until 



64 After Battle of Fredericksburg. 

it was said tlie whole of Long-street's corps had snow 
battled. When one tired he dropped out, and as I was 
one of the early participants, I did not see the ending; 
but it was reported that it ended about five miles from 
the place of beginning. All were defeated ; all were vic- 
torious, as it were, with but two reported injured to mar 
the day's pleasure. There was an order issued prohibit- 
ing general snowballing. At this camp there was a va- 
cancy in the comi^any of lieutenant, and I was urged by 
some to run for same. I refused, with the same old 
story that I would not lay down my gun and soldier. I 
only served once as camp guard while in quarters. I 
was approached when relieved from duty by one of the 
company's officers and asked if I would accept a cor- 
poral position. I declined. He said tlie officers and 
privates thought I should not be called on to do camp 
duty. My reply was : "I have been in fighting line with 
the company in every battle when I was reported for 
duty, but I enjoyed getting in front when opportunity of- 
fered, and as yet had not failed to be at my post of 
duty at the time of battle and wished to continue as I 
had; for my chances, I thought, were good to have free- 
dom of outposting now and then, and if I did accept, my 
position would be such that I would be with detail men 
when more than one was needed, and as it is, I select or 
am selected." In a short time I was told that I had been 
appointed corporal, so during the balance of the time I 
served with infantry T was never put on fatigue duty or 
camp guard. Neither did I ever serve as non-commis- 
sioned officer. 

We stayed long enough at this camp to closely forage 
the country for a good distance out; and the report was 
that there was not a fowl in that section, less guineas, 
and I guess the report was right; for there were two 
slick artists in my mess and there was a covey about a 
mile from our camp, and they tried often to capture one 
or more at night, but failed and finally gave it up and 
said the gun was the only thing that could capture a 
guinea; and as shooting was prohibited, the guinea was 



After Battlk of Khfoekickshurg. • 65 

the only safe fowl in time of war. Wliile at this camp 
in the valley near the ria:ht winj^- of our battle line of Fred- 
ericksburg, in a small house, I saw what I supposed to 
be the remains of tlie old negro man that I have i)re- 
viously mentioned hel|)ing his wife to the rear. When 
I saw the skeleton it was standing in one corner, stri]i]ied 
of clothing and the limbs were straight. Prom api)ear- 
ance one would suppose the man had starved to death. 
When I saw him alive he was under size and very lean. 
The skin of the corpse was dried and was brittle; and 
the roaches, from evidence of the number that were seen, 
had gnawed holes in the skin and eaten all the fleshy 
matter and by removing the skin one could well see the 
bones and muscles in place ; and as T had some dread of 
foot or hand wound from seeing the suffering it caused, 
I at two different inspections closely scanned the foot 
and hand, and there is sure a net work hidden by the 
skin and flesh of the hand and foot. T have often 
thought what a valuable subject this would have been for 
a medical school. 

Leaving this cam}), we did lots of marching but little 
fighting that I can call to memory. We finally struck 
the Potomac River at a ])oint where it was said we 
marched out of Virginia, waded the river, passed through 
the corner of Maryland and into Pennsylvania the same 
day. The river was deep wading, so the lower ]iart of 
man got a much needed bath. There were said to be two 
bands on the Maryland side, and from the continuous 
music I su}i]iose there was relief, and they were there 
to cheer the weary soldier in his watery march. After 
crossing the river we marched a short distance and were 
ordered to stack arms and build fires and dry our cloth- 
ing. It was said we were then in Pennsylvania. We soon 
had roaring fires scattered around of such material as 
was at hand, and as the enemy had educated us and it 
was the first time we were on what we termed "the 
enemy's soil." Fencing was good fuel when it was near 
at hand. While drying, it was reported that there had 
been several barrels of whiskey pressed, and we found 



66 After Battle of Fredericksburg. 

such was the case, as the proper ones were soon passing 
around the drinks. I dranl: my portion to the dregs, and 
it was a bumper for me. A small percentage of the boys 
refused, and gave their share to others who wanted to 
repeat; so with empty stomachs, standing around the 
fire, it was soon showing its effects — some cutting an- 
tics, holloaing, or singing; and from appearances, the 
larger part fighting and parting combatants. One of 
''F" members, however, must have been enjoying the 
fighting as he grabbed up a stack of three guns and 
charged a near parting group. Just as he lunged for- 
ward he said: "G D you, let them fight." He 

struck an officer glancing, in the cheek, with the bayonet 
and made a slight wound, and I will state that was 
the first and last time I ever saw blood from the stick 
of a bayonet; except when a fellow was using it as a 
roasting fork in beef that was fat enough to bleed. One 
who reads this may feel curious to know what was done 
with Private Taylor. Answer: "Nothing." The bugle 
call to fall in line was sounded and we were quickly on 
the march. By this time my drink was having its effect 
and from the time it took it to wear off, it had given me 
opportunity to swear off several times. My whole desire 
was to lie on the roadside and sleep, but as we were in 
the enemy's country, I was fearful, should I drop out, T 
would wake u]) a captive; so I walked and staggered and 
my feelings were such that "if I had been possessed of 
''Rockefeller's wealth" one would have been able to 
share it with me if he could have guaranteed safety from 
capture after I had slept off my drunk. T guess our of- 
ficers learned a lesson, as they never after that offered 
drink. By the time we struck camp for the night, I was 
sobered up. We had been, before crossing the Potomac, 
well advised of the general order that there would be no 
straggling or foraging allowed while in the enemy's 
country. At the spring, where I went to fill my mesR 
canteens, I saw the boys chasing chickens and nearby a 
house, said to be officers' headquarters, and from the 
horses, couriers, and such like, T credited the report. On 



After Battle ok l*'RKiti;KrcKSHrTH(i. ({7 

returniug to mess I told the boys of my find and I <<uoss 
the order was mtended for paper report, and not for 
soldiers. I said I would make a test if one other would 
go. All said : "I will, ' ' about the same time ; but the one 
who got the tobacco and money from the peddler suited 
me best. By this time it was dark and there had been 
a strong camp guard thrown around us to keep us in. 
We left luggage with the mess and started, walked 
straight u]5 to a guard and told him where we wanted 
to go, and that when we returned we would divide with 
him. We were soon out a mile or two and found a num- 
ber on the same mission. We ran into two acrpuiintances 
and they joined us. The first place we stop])ed was the 
front steps of a residence, with three women sitting on 
the gallery. We made our wants known and were soon 
being treated royally. They seemed to have plenty of 
cooked food, as though they were looking for us. When 
we had satisfied our hunger, we moved on, each of the 
same mind that the women had furnished their share. 
We soon found a bee house that had lots of bee-hives in 
it, and from the amount of bees stirring in and about 
the place, we were satisfied that we were not the first. 
The question arose: How to get them. Some kind- 
hearted soldier heard us and said: ''Rope them and run," 
and instructed where a rope was, near by. We soon had 
by great risk, the rope in place, and the word given to 
"run!" So we started in a sweeping trot, with men at 
one end of the rope and bee-hive at the other. We had to 
trot off some distance to get beyond hives that had been 
treated in like manner. When we stopped, we were soon 
at the gum, satisfying the inner man; but could take 
none to camp for want of a vessel. We did the fair 
thing, however, of returning the rope to its place. 

We continued prowling around, looking for something 
to eat to take to camp. It was now getting well into the 
night, and walking near a barn we discovered a man 
leading a horse. We found he was taking the horse from 
hiding to feed him. He begged piteously for his horse, 
but we said we would be disobeving orders if we did not 



68 After Battle of Fredericksburg. 

take it as it was a fine animal and just suited for caval- 
ry. We compromised by liim feeding- the animal and go- 
ing into the house and shutting up and not to be seen or 
heard. He soon had the horse in its stall and fastened 
up, as he had prepared its food. He well filled his agree- 
ment — we did ours and it was easily done, for we were 
not horse hunting. 

We looked around and struck a milk house and soon 
had our full of its contents. It sure was a night of feast- 
ing and there were no ill effects from our gormandizing. 
We then made a search for a hen house and found it 
some distance from the residence, and as we were not 
armed, we expected to run out of tights if pressed ; there- 
fore, we were very cautious and spoke in low tones 
at the hen house. The tobacco boy was soon in — 
making an examination, as I supposed from the time he 
was taking. We were near the hen house on watch, I 
was on the door side and had grown somewhat impa- 
tient. I said: "Why in the H ain't you killing and 

throwing them outf " Instantly there was a dull thump 
at the front door and it was repeated in quick time with 
several thumps. I stepped forward and felt and found 
some warm but lifeless large chickens. I remained squat- 
ting by the pile and at short intervals there would be 
another thump, and that went on for some time, and as 
I felt no small chickens, I said: "Enough large ones; 
want some frying size." So the thumps of less sound 
continued a sufficient length of time, to fill the order. 
I said: "Enough." He stepped out and the other boys 
were called and we gathered up the fowls and made 
some distance toward camp, struck water, had a drink 
and commenced to dress our chickens so we would make 
no sign taking them from mess hiding to cooking ves- 
sels. We soon found that we had an all night's job un- 
feathering our fryers and expended a good deal of 
strength to pluck one feather; and after trying them all 
we concluded that they were old bantams and left them. 
I have often wondered since if a liantam ever sheds its 
feathers. 



After Batth:; of l^'uKDHiiicKSHLnic;. 69 

We got back to camp, i)a.ssed in as we had gone out, 
but our man was not at post to get his divide, as I sup- 
pose the officers thought it was time for thieves to be 
in bed and had relieved the guard. The next morning 
pard and I slept late, and when we were wakened for 
breakfast I got up and rubbed my eyes, which |)assed for 
washing. When I looked around T thought if general or- 
ders got in paper the ones who were out of that section 
might be gulled; but our nearby neighbors could not 
help but think our superiors were not much obeyed. 
There seemed to be no hiding and from the the amount 
of good food in sight, I asked if the last general order 
had been revoked while we were out. At an opjjortune 
time that day I asked my prowling chum if he would 
not put me on to how to get chickens at night like lie 
did without noise, as he seemed so slick about it that 
there must be some sleight of hand work in it, or he had 
the power of making all near by deaf, as the other boys 
said they had heard nothing, same as 1. T told him he 
was the best chicken getter in the mess and that the boys 
would kick more when he failed to do his })art if it were 
not for this redeeming trait. He said: "Bill, I will tell 
you, but you must not give it away, as the other boys 
would make less failures and there are not enough of the 
chickens to go around; that the way most people stole 
chickens at night was not worth while walking far for, 
as they crawled up to a roosL ivith plenty of chickens, and 
would lay their hands on one and let it flutter and hollow 
and then the balance would raise a great racket and 
leave their roost; dogs, if any, would be waked u\^ and 
one was apt to run, thinking there would soon be a gun 
pointing his way." "Be sure you don't tell." I prom- 
ised again. "I caught on from an old negro, and it is 
done in this way, but will only work where chickens roost 
low, as most of them do and when one can reach from 
the ground or by standing on a l)ox or barrel it is no 
trick at all to get all you want; but it will not work if 
you have to climb, as chickens seem to have a great dread 
for climbers and you cannot get up easy enough, as they 



70 After Battle of Fredericksburg. 

will hear you and commence raising a racket. When you 
get under their roost, let the chickens get through with 
their low croaking, and stop operations — if they do hear 
something and start it again, wait till all is quiet and 
commence again. Put you'r hand on the roost (back up 
is best) move it along the roost until you touch a foot; the 
chicken will raise up; slip your hand under and when 
he puts his foot down on your hand, you will know abo'it 
the size of the chicken and direction of its head. If you 
don't want the chicken, or its head is toward you, turn 
your hand and draw from under its foot and the chicken 
will i3ut its foot back on the roost. If you want the fowl, 
change so your hand will be on other side of the roost. 
This will put its head from you. Repeat operation and 
when one foot is on your hand, slowly slip your hand to 
touch the other foot and it will raise and put that foot on 
your hand. When both feet are on your hand, raise a 
little, then when the chicken's body is clear of the roost, 
lower gently, at the same time swing across breast and 
raise left arm at the shoulder. When chicken's body is un- 
der, give quick up motion with chicken and downward 
clamp with your arm. As you are doing this, grab the 
neck with left hand, and with the other hand clamp its 
head, give a twist and pull and neck is broken. Hold for 
a moment — this hard sqeezing and lack of freedom to 
flutter will quiet the nerve instantly. Holding by head, 
lower the chicken until ground is touched and turn loose. 
If on the floor, hold to the head till it touches the floor. 
This can be repeated as often as wished, and the darker 
the night the better, as the owner cannot peep through 
a crack and see you, and as he hears nothing he would 
at once leave, and if light is seen, one has time to creep 
away." I guess one would be less at ease now, for the 
electric snap light would be on his mind. He said "He 
guessed the reason why chickens jumped when their 
necks were broken or cut oft' was that they had too much 
freedom, and it took them longer to find out they were 
dead; but when squeezed and stretched so they could 



After Battle of Fredericksburg. 71 

not move, they knew instantly they were a »^onei- and it 
was no use kiekmi;-." 

We were kept on the go and the most of the time were 
feeding well, with our camp guards out at night, who 
were taken in when all tired men should have been in 
bed. It was amusing, in passing through towns, to see 
the bevies of girls hanging over yard fences and the gab- 
bing back and forth. They would some times ask what 
regiment or brigade was that and at the answer "Texas," 
there seemed to be the word "Law" well drawn out. 



Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 

In the course of time we were thrown into line of l)at- 
tle near (xettyshurg, and as our hrii»-ade ranks wei-e well 
depleted, we did not make a very lon<>- battle line. We 
were said to be near our right; and in front, less than a 
mile off, the country looked well elevated and from bar- 
ren spots I took it to be rocky. While laying in })osition 
one of Company A privates, and I think of Galveston, 
•stepped to the front and started to offer prayer, some- 
thing that I had never heard of in our part of the line 
under like conditions. He was ordered back into line 
and just then a bursting shell wounded three of his com- 
pany this happened only a few feet to my right, before 
going into battle. In times of battle there are generally 
what are called color companies. I su])])Ose they are 
called so by their position in regimental line with colors 
and special color guard also. I was, on this occasion, 
color guard with a small detail with A. and F, color com- 
panies. The sergeant ordered me to colors. I pro- 
tested, saying I was not the man and he had often heard 
me express myself. He said: "Go ahead." We were 
soon forward and near on the opposite side of the val- 
ley. We routed pickets and scaled rock fences, and 
worked our way to the front rapidly, with pickets giving 
away before us, firing but little. We soon struck the 
foot of the hill, and found it rough and rocky, with large 
boulders now and then, so our lines were not at all times 
well closed. We soon were near enough the enemy's line 
for them to open fire. We had but poor chance to re- 
taliate with much effect. Our men near me connnenced 
falling rapidly and especially color bearers — if I remem- 
ber correctly, I saw the colors fall five times, the last 
time in the hands of the sergeant who had ordered me 
to act as color guard. In falling, the flag staff struck 
my head in front of my face. As it went down my for- 
ward motion caused mv feet to become somewhat tan- 



74 Battle of Gettysburg. 

gled. . I gave a kick and said a curse word, and passed 
on. This happened near the end of our journey, and I 
know not who picked up the colors, but I have often 
thought: "Did the sergeant see all the color guards 
cut down ; and thinking I was going to carry out my oft 
repeated declaration, pick it up in my stead I" 

We stopped advancing, without orders as far as I was 
concerned, as I had heard none. Another man and I 
were well to the front, behind rock; the enemy was only 
a short distance up and so near over us that with good 
aim we could have near been shot in the top of the head, 
either standing or kneeling. At this point a field offiicer- 
a-foot passed just to our rear and stopped a moment 
and looked up and said: "Boys, aim well." I said: 
"Cousins, move on; you are drawing the fire our way." 
He stai'ted with a determined look; and I thought, and 
think yet, that it was the bravest act I ever saw — a man 
inspecting a shattered battle line, with the enemy hold- 
ing a position at such great odds leaning over their pro- 
tection to shoot to hit our position. We did not attempt 
to scale the hill for it would have been a good job on 
some parts for one used to mountain climbing stripped 
for the business. This hill may be erroneously drawn, 
but it was well photographed on my memory as I have 
stated. We did not hold this position long before the 
order was passed on the line to "Fall back." I had no 
fear of the enemy charging and capturing the retreat- 
ing forces, for they had ample dead and wounded to 
satisfy them, if all parts of our line were as badly 
butchered as at the point I went in and out. I learned 
some time afterward that the peak was called "Round- 
top" or "Heights." Have never learned whether it was 
named before or after the battle. When we were in a 
scattered condition and had gotten out of danger and 
rather under the brow of the first elevation which we 
struck as we were going in, we were halted and lined and 
ordered in again. We advanced this time, knowing what 
was ahead of us if we went far, for the acts of the men 
soon showed that we were of one mind. We forwarded 



Rattle of OF/rTYSBrRr.. 75 

without a imirnuir, until we sti-iick the (lan<;-t'i' point. Tlic 
men about faced near as if ordered and marched hack. 
The command "Halt!" was not heeded. Just as we 
wheeled I heard some fellow scpieal for dear life. I 
looked and saw it was a lieutenant hoi)])ing-, with a hip: 
toe shot off, and with his good sized and stout lungs he 
made more racket than T ever heard from one wounded 
man. We were stopped before we went far, and were 
about faced and ordered "Forward!" We made a few 
ste])s to the front and again without orders about faced 
and marched back to protection under the brow of a hill 
and were halted. ThL-re was (juitc a lot of censure for 
tlie last two forward movements by the men. We were 
held in jiosition until dark and went forward on' rising 
ground and put u]) a line of rock protection. When day 
dawned, we could see oi- hear little of our heli^less 
wounded, the greater mass of them being well to the front 
and out of sight. We were not bothered by firing from 
the line as we were out of sight, but the enemy had few 
sharpshooters who were posted on the hillside tliat had 
favorable points of opening through timber, and when 
one would get a few yards to the front, before these open- 
ings, they would hurriedly get back. There was some at- 
tempt to dislodge the sharpshooters but failed. We lay 
in this position all night and most of the next day. To 
our left during the day there was a charge made by what 
was said to be Pickett's Division. From our elevated 
position we could see the battle line in the valley and hear 
the roar of cannon that were on an elevation to the rear. 
It was claimed that there were one hundred and forty 
cannon attem])ting to break or terroiize the enemy's line 
in front of Pickett's Division. There was sure noise 
enough, from the roar of guns and bursting of shells, to 
have moved the Yanks when the Rebs charged, if they 
had lieen movable; but they were like those in front of 
Hood — had a good thing and knew it, so the right of 
Lee's army had battled hard and met defeat at each at- 
tempt to turn the enemy's left. After all of this lia]ipen- 
ing, as a ])artici|)aTit the first day and ])artly in sight 



76 , Battle of Gettysburg. 

of the butchery the second day, was, as far as I was con- 
cerned, discouraging; and it looked as though our officers 
were blind, in so far as tliat part of the front was con- 
cerned. It looked to me that a flank move would have 
dislodged the enemy, or at least, battled near equal posi- 
tions. While lying in the position, one felt reasonably 
safe, provided he kept behind rock piles so the sound 
of battle was plain enough to satisfy that there was but 
very litle changing of position; and as we were the ad- 
vancing army the reading of the different parts of the 
line added nothing to relieve one's mind who had been 
through the experience of the evening before and know- 
ing just to our front lay the unfortunate Reb who was 
wounded and suffering. So, taking conditions as they 
were, I was at that time on the dark side of life's thoughts 
or, in other words, hope in a depressed condition. While 
behind the rock protection in the evening of the second 
day, word was passed along the line to get ready to charge 
the front. The order shocked me, and my feelings were 
indescribable ; in fact, I had a bad case of cowardly hor- 
ror. I felt sure if I retraced my steps of the evening be- 
fore, it would be the ending of me. I could see no ob- 
ject in the move, only to sacrifice the extreme left to save 
the army on retreat, as T felt we had gotten a good whip- 
])ing all along the line and I was considering which was 
preferable — disgrace or death, for I felt as one feels 
when fright and disgrace at one and the same time has 
possession. I tried to force manhood to the front, but 
fright would drive it back with a shudder. I was in this 
state of torture for at least fifteen minutes. T was lay- 
ing behind rock protection and dropiied asleep with fear 
and disgrace to be my portion. I had slept but a few 
minutes when our batteries behind opened fire on the 
enemy's supposed line, to confuse, and then we would 
be ordered to charge. The guns were not elevated enough 
and were doing fine work on our position. The bursting 
and flying ]:»ieces of shell and rock put us in a panic con- 
dition^ — we could not dro]) to the front and protect our- 
selves, for we would be exposed to the enemy. Our field 



Battle of Gettysburg. 77 

officers .just to our rear were dismounted and had ^reat 
trouble to mount. They soon got a few mounted ])y giv- 
ing- help, and ran to the rear and stopped the firing. All 
was confusion, but we soon got back into line and orders 
countermanding the charge were ])assed down the line. 
When I awoke my fears had gone and when I heard the 
countermanding order I had a feeling of regret, thinking 
what a great relief we could be to our wounded by drop- 
ping our water canteen by their sides as we went for- 
ward; and possibly through some unforseen condition 
we might be able to remove them to tlie rear. 1 think 
my feeling about the necessity of aid was felt as much 
as those who needed it, and I have often thought : What 
is mind, and what causes its changes; for, in this instance 
when the order was received for the forward move, I 
at once was a transformed being; feeling all the pangs 
of horror that one could have flash over him, feeling as 
I once had great pride, knowing that I had done my duty 
under any and all conditions to the best of my ability, 
and now all was lost, if I did not go into the charge and 
be shot down to avoid disgrace ; for I knew I had been as 
fai- to the front the day before as any one I could see to 
my right or left, and I well knew that the enemy had 
the night previous to arrange or strengthen their posi- 
tion, if such was needed; but this was not needed, for 
nature had long ages since done the work, and knowing 
the great disadvantage that was to our front caused the 
thought: "Where is our boasted Lee? Why is this 
ignorance?" As for Longstreet, he was excusable, as 
far as I was concerned ; for I always thought he was on 
the wrong side for we had no men to si)are in a bull dog 
fight, for even with victory we were the losers. Tie was 
kind and courageous and by nature was a fighter, but 
not a tactician, and when h^ was assigned near an im- 
pregnable position that was made so by nature, with an 
insufficiencv of men and short time limit, what more 
could have been expected? In my opinion, if he was in 
the battle line as ordered, with instructions to force the 
front, there was none better capacitated to have made a 



78 Battle of Getttsbubg. 

success, if such was possible, with the means at hand. I 
have heard since the war some censure cast at General 
Long-street for Lee's defeat at Gettysburg, but heard 
nothing of the kind from the battling soldier who was a 
participant in the great struggle. Records of his orders 
could be the only proof that would satisfy my mind that 
he was at fault — so I have always thought how cruel to 
idolize without a fault, and sweep errors aside and hea]i 
them on others. I will always censure some officer, but 
not knowing who, cannot specify to my satisfaction the 
individual blame. Why were we fighting an impregna- 
ble position — was it ignorance I I guess so. It was a 
very unfortunate condition for the right of an army with 
true and tried men being shot down like dogs. 

We moved to the rear some distance, just as dark was 
near, and the enemy did not follow up closely. On our 
way to the rear, and a few hundred yards in front of 
where our men were halted and remained for the night 
and part of the next day, I was left at a rock pile and 
from what I could see the next morning, I was the ex- 
treme right outpost of infantry. My position was on the 
brow of an open elevation and narrow open valley in 
front, with woods on the opposite side. When I 
was left, and told that I would be relieved in due time, 
which time did not arrive, however, until the next day, 
when I was called in. When our line marched out I 
asked no questions, but supposed I was either forgotten 
or the place could not have been easily found ; or would 
have put the relief, crawling in, subject to fire from foe 
or friend. The rock pile gave me protection, either ly- 
ing down or sitting* in a stooping position. I was not 
on the outpost long before the enemy, or at least dark 
objects were seen in front. T knew there was no stock 
at large, and if a Reb was there, he was out of place, 
so I challenged none and got in several shots during the 
night and my aim or re^iort of my gun had the effect 
at least of moving the object. To my left some two hun- 
dred yards I would now and then hear gun reports, so 
I felt safe on the left, as in the twilight the enemy would 



Battle of (iettysburg. 79 

hardly attempt crawling- throiig-h. But to my right it 
was different, for I heard no shooting and (hiring the 
night at two different times I let the man crawl well np 
on the elevation, ahont seventy-five yards to the right, 
hefore 1 notified him of his mistake. So I passed what 
seemed to be an imnsually long night all alone, with eyes 
to the front, rear and flank. Fortnnately, I was well su])- 
plied with tobacco and one who has never nsed it does 
not fully appreciate its comforting effects \inder simi- 
lar conditions. AVhen daylight came I could see my sur- 
roundings and the troops to the rear. I could easily be 
seen from our front, but saw no effort being nuide to re- 
lieve me. I had not unrolled blankets from my shoulder 
to keep off the cold morning air; therefore, being more 
confined as day approached caused a somewhat chilly 
sensation, but 1 dare not expose for exercise, for the 
Yanks on the opposite side of the valley in the woods 
did too close practice at the rock pile for comfort, whether 
thev saw mv head or not. As the day wore on, I got very 
sleepv and with all the force I could bring to bear, it was 
almost impossible to keep awake. I had heard of the 
use of tobacco amber or spit in similar cases, so I gave 
it a thorough test several times, used it liberally on my 
eyes, and it sure will kee}) one awake so long as the pain 
is greater than the desire to sleep; but T guess after a 
few applications, if one could see himself in a mirror, 
there -would be a dirty pair of red eyes showing; so with 
burning eves and a great desire to sleep, my lot was a 
hard one." As I have stated, T was in sight of our line, 
and one of mv mess companions, a Beaumont boy by the 
name of Tavlor, got permission to relieve me, which he 
did by crawling part of the way. A few shots near him 
as he crawled in did not deter him. When he reached 
me he said: ''Bill, go to sleep. T have come to re leve 
vou and will call if the Yanks start to advance. 1 
gueLs the sound of his voice had no more than ceasexi 
before I was sleeping. T slept nearly two hours he said, 
when he awoke me and said they had called for us to 
come in; so we started in a stooping zig-zag run with a 



80 After Battle of Gettysburg. 

few bullets to enliven our efforts. When we reached the 
command it was in readiness to move, but before we did, 
there appeared to our right rear, quite a force of the 
enemy's cavalry. They were lined up about one-fourth 
of a mile away and had the appearance of forming for 
a charge. There were, a short distance to our rear, some 
residence buildings and they were soon burning to clear 
the rear which would have been front, if the charge had 
been made. The sight of a long line of mounted enemy 
and the roaring and hissing of the fire and a threatened 
front, made the position one of awe. Our cavalry soon 
put in their apx^earance and had a brush with the enemy's 
cavalry and they dropped out of sight. 

While on the outpost during the night I could hear 
the rumbling of the enemy's artillery and wagon train 
going to our right. When we moved out and were march- 
ing to the rear, I was still sleepy, and at the first halt 
I was down on one side in the mud and getting the much 
needed sleep. I was told that I had caught up twenty 
minutes on lost sleep. When a person is in this condi- 
tion, they are not very choice of pallets. I have seen 
men fall and not wake. I have curled up in the corner 
of a rail fence and slept more than once, to keep out of 
mud and water. I have often heard the remark "dead 
asleep," and in such an instance it is near a fact. When 
night came we were allowed to unsaddle, as it were, by 
stripping off our accoutrements and spreading blankets, 
if we had one. We continued this weary march for some 
days and sto})ped a short time near the Potomac River. 
Here I got to go to the rear as the enemy were follow- 
ing. I saw some of them skulking about three miles out. 
I got some rations and returned. We broke camp that 
evening after dark and started marching again. My 
shoes were old and so were my clothes. My pants were 
frazzled and split i\\) to the knees, so I cut them off just 
below the knees, and thought if I looked .like I felt, I was 
a fright. Short sleeves worn to near point of the elbow, 
no socks or drawers, and knee breeches. It was not long 
after leaving camp, marching in mud about six inches 



Aftkr Battle of (iettysburg. 81 

dee]) I lost the sole of one slioe. F jerked off the upper 
and tried walking a short distance with one bare foot. 
It looked like at nearly every step there was a roek to 
jam between toes as my foot slipped down and forward. 
I soon pulled off the other one, thinking that I could 
walk with less danger to both. This was a mistake, so 
I soon got out of the road and made my way as best T 
could thiough woods and fields, kee])ing near the road. 
I found that there was quite a lot of straggling, which 
was ordinarily done on the side of the road. I traveled 
all night, and by daylight my feet and legs were well 
bruised and torn by dewberry vines which always caused 
me to halt and ])ack out. When day arrived I found T, 
with others, was in the rear of the infantry and just in 
front of our cavalry rear guard, the enemy's advance, 
which was cavalry, opened fire. I struck a trot, hurt or 
not, and by the rear guard fighting the most of the strag- 
glers struck a pontoon bridge and soon were safely over 
the river. The stragglers numbered here had been so 
great as to wear a ])ath and there were often miles of 
it that were soft and springy and not muddy. When a 
fellow struck a place of this kind he moved with but lit- 
tle or no pain. We struck camp some distance from 
where we crossed the river at, or near what I was told 
was Bunker Hill. AVe remained here several days, the 
most of the time sitting, or lying down, ])atching up. 
Here we were soon su|)plied with rations and the most 
needy — shoes and clothes. While here only a short time, 
one of "F" l)oys was prowling a sliort distance out and 
discovered several liarrels of whiskey, hid under sti-aw 
in an old house, some distance from a residence. He 
came to cam]) and told some of the boys in the com])any 
and they gathered u]) all the canteens of the company and 
filled tliein. Tt was soon noised around and whiskey was 
soon in the different nearby camps; and in some in- 
stances, the camp kettle was filled. There was soon, as 
far as I could see, drunken soldiers— it was said that half 
the cam]) was drunk and the othei- half doing the bttle 
cam]) duties and keei)ing the drunken ones straight. 



82 After Battle of Gettysburg. 

This went on for part of a day and night and most of the 
drunk sobered up. I guess that the sober ones had hid- 
den the whiskey from them so the sober fellows had their 
drunk, and were cared for by the first crowd. This is 
the way the boys talked ; but it was not quite so bad. My 
pallet mate had taken both days. There was a funny in- 
cident happened to him the second evening. He was one 
of the kind that could be full and not down. I called 
''Mc" to where I was lying and told him I was nearly 
dead for water, as I had drank none since he had filled 
my canteen. I started to pour the remaining whiskey 
out but he grabbed the canteen and said he would give 
it to some fellow, or empty it at the spring, and as he 
started, the boys who were lying around threw him their 
canteens, so he left with six or eight. He was slow in 
returning and I wanted water awfully bad, although I 
had not taken a drink of whiskey, as I yet remembered 
my vow on the first day in Pennsylvania. It was re- 
ported that "Mc" was found nearly drowned in the 
spring and had been dragged out and the canteens were 
scattered around, so I up and started, regardless of sore 
feet, and found "Mc" on his back, sound asleep, with 
his purse on his breast and canteens nearby. I filled 
them, aroused "Mc" and put the canteens on his shoul- 
der and he staggered back to camp. I asked what was 
his intention when he put the purse on his breast and he 
said: *'To catch a damned thief." 

After resting up at this camp we started on the move 
— with no enemy within hearing. While moving a1)out 
there were two or three long range telescope guns re- 
ceived for division or corps — I don't remember which — 
and I was told by several that they knew I would get 
one; but I would answer by saying: "I guess not, for 
I would not accept one if offered, for I did not think 
they were a good brush gun or one that could be dragged 
around on a crawl." It was not long before Captain Ike 
Turner spoke to me in regard to long range guns, and 
said he had a say in the allotment and he guessed I 
would hear of his opposing alloting one to me and re- 



After Battle of Gettysburg. 83 

commending "Dickey" and for fear I might feel hurt 
about it, he wished to explain. lie said there was a move 
on foot to detach him from command and allow him to 
select his men and form a company of scouts, and know- 
ing me as he did, I was one whom he had in mind as that 
class of soldiering suited me best, and that I could ren- 
der services at the front that would be creditable. I 
thanked him and said: "Captain, you could not, in my 
opinion, put the gun in better hands than Dickey 's ; and 
I think he enjoys outpost sharpshooting, and as for nerve 
and aim, he has both — he may l)e a little short in caution, 
but it is better that than too cautious." Captain Tur- 
ner — if I remember right, was subsequently killed near 
Suffolk, Virginia, while standing on top of the breast- 
works, therefore, I heard nothing more of the scouting 
company. While near Suffolk, I served twenty-four 
hours near and in front of the enemy's fortifications in 
a pit on a barren hill. In front of the breastworks there 
was a line of protection to retard a charge, if such was 
attempted. This was done with small trees which had 
been felled with tops pointing from works, with limbs 
cut back to sufficient stiffness and sharpened. The way 
I reached my pit was after dark, being deployed with 
others some distance to the rear, with instructions to 
cautiously go forward and when the man in front had 
come out and met me, he would point the direction and 
I would do the same when word was passed along the 
line of pits of relief next night. So when the man was 
out and at me, he pointed and gave about the distance 
and finished his remark by saying: "It is a hell of a 
place." I went forward, stoo]ung low, and had no dif- 
ficulty finding it. The pit was of sufficient size for me 
to kneel or sit down in. The dirt which had been taken 
out was thrown to the front, so when in a well raised 
kneeling position, one could well see an object on or in 
front of the fort. As I had not been in the "kneeling 
business" much I got awfully restless at times; but as 
there was a big fat corpse laying nearby that I had dis- 
covered, it was a gentle reminder — "keep quiet." Dur- 



84 After Battle of (Jettysbuiu!. 

ing the night there were some l)nllets passing whicli was 
evidence that not all in the fort were sleeping. When 
daylight came I saw I was uncomfortably close, but safe 
to a great extent, with proper caution. The enemy did 
their firing through holes and one could only tell when 
a head was there by the smoke, as I could not see through 
the hole. Suppose the rear was darkened to prevent see- 
ing, but the distance was such that when one raised his 
head on seeing smoke, by quick action it would be out 
of harm as a bullet whizzed over. So our only target 
was port holes and the enemy's — our raised heads. I 
improved my shooting chances somewhat during the day 
by putting hat on end of ramrod and exposing crown to 
sight dodging it down when bullet whizzed by. 1 followed 
this up at intervals without shooting and when the boys 
would get tired of shooting my way with no apparent ef- 
fect, they would direct their efforts to other pits, and 
probably the pit man was practicing a similar game. By 
this means there was a good deal of firing from the fort 
with very little on our side ; but when the boys would find 
the enemy lagging they would soon start them by shoot- 
ing at holes. The words, "Fall back," were passed the 
early part of the night and as one had nearly grown in 
a crooked condition, it did not bother him much to stoop 
low. When reaching relief the direction was pointed and 
finished up in about the same way as my instructor. 
When I reached camp several of the boys told me they 
were going to take a certain man out and whip him. 
This was the man who had fortified with his hat at Fred- 
ericksburg. They said he had such a horror of the i)its, 
that they told him his turn was coming soon, and he had 
made a proposition that he would go out from camp and 
strip and they could get switches and whip him as much 
as they wanted — if they kept him, in someway, off of 
pit duty — and they would have been through with the 
job by then, but were waiting so I could see the fun. 
I soon persuaded them to desist, as it would be a brutal 
act and they would regret it to such an extent that they 
would suffer more than the subject, as his punishment 



Afteh Battle of GRTTVsBuiUi. 85 

would only ho inomeiitary, <'onii)are(l witli tlieir iv<?ret, 
and that 1 would see the next day if 1 could not g-et liim 
detailed to wai^on train. The man seemed to be resource- 
ful and had well .i»reased his shoes during- the day, and 
from what T was told had made the job rather public; 
so the next morning-, when he turned out his shoes were 
gone. There was a searching and inquiring for shoes 
but they could not be found. Some one asked him who 
he supposed had them, and he said he guessed a dog. 
Then some one of the boys who had seen him grease 
them, said: "I guess that's what made you grease 
them so much yesterday." The boys caught on and 
quit hunting. I went to the company's commanding of- 
ficer and asked him to send him to a wagon train as 
I thought he would give good service there to hold his 
job, and that I had on several occasions heard him ex- 
press a desire to be there as he could not fight; and it 
was a fact, as we all knew. The officer assented. Then 
I asked him to have him out of the camp before night, 
for it had been said to me that if I had not put in my 
chops he would have had good excuse to keep out of the 
pit and would not have had to hide his shoes, so it was 
not long before a detail for duty at the wagon train was 
in his possession. The boys said: "That means ready 
for duty, and you had better put on your shoes before 
starting; for the wagon may be on the move before you 
get there." So he went a short distance and unearthed 
his shoes, put them on and started. On leaving, he said : 
"Good-bye, boys." One of the boys said: "Don't di- 
vide thanks with God: they all belong to Bill." 

While at this camp I got tired, as usual, and ai)plied 
for leave of absence to the enemy's rear and flank, with 
permission to- select two men for companions. In a 
few hours it was granted, so 1 spoke to two of the com- 
pany's boys whom I knew could stand hard usage and 
it would make their eyes glitter before I would get 
through telling them to get ready. I told them to take 
no grub, for we would soon l)e where there was plenty. 
We were off like a shot, and by a cii'cuitous route we 



86 After Battle of Gettysburg. 

were soon well in the rear of the enemy's right. We 
pushed on, either by night or day, until we could see 
the battleships riding the waves at anchor. There were 
quite a number of them and some of them were not far 
out from our point of observation. We took it all in, 
so far as sight was concerned, and commenced retracing 
our steps. We were not sighted by the enemy at any 
time and only made near approaches to see the gunboats 
passing up and down stream. We were not molested 
in any way and found plenty to eat. Being several 
miles on the return, I started one of the boys to report, 
telling him I would somewhat change course, taking it 
leisurely coming out, and he need not return. I found 
about a day after he left that the enemy was moving 
and we were cut off, so we moved in sight behind them 
for a few miles and I was satisfied it was a flank move 
on our left, so we mended our pace, moving to our right 
and front to get ahead of them. While doing this, I 
discovered a lone man and soon satisfied myself that 
he was a ' ' Reb. ' ' We hurried to intercept. When near- 
ing him I saw it was our chum, and we made our appear- 
ance from hiding. His words were: "I was not look- 
ing for Yankees and knew if you fellows were anywhere 
around you would sight me in some opening." He had 
orders for us to return and find command on move, and 
to look out, for the enemy were moving. The first fa- 
vorable woods we struck, I said: "Halt," and told the 
order bearer to lie down and sleep. He said: "You 
need not stop on my account." I asked if he had had 
any sleep since he left, and he replied: "No, but I am 
not tired or sleepy and will let you know when I feel the 
necessity." By hurried marcli and passing near the 
enemy's right we were soon in front and traveling in 
the supposed direction of our command; stopped to rest 
and sleep and not yet a murmur from our man. I said 
to him: "You are a remarkable man to travel the dis- 
tance you have without sleep and not a nmrmur have I 
heard," He replied: "Bill, you did not take me for 
a spring chicken when you told me to get ready." 



After Battle ok (iKTTVSBUFio. 87 

We struck our eoiiiiiiaiid tlie next day and in course 
of time were near Petersburg, camping in the woods. 
One night there came up a storm. The wind blew hard ; 
the lightning flashed and the thunder roared. Men 
were up and crouched near and behind trees for pro- 
tection from flying timber. It was soon over, however, 
fires were built, bedding and wet clothes warmed and 
we were soon asleep. The next morning tliere were re- 
ported two injured. We were moved from this point 
nearby to a place of more safety, where the timber was 
not so tall. It was near a railroad, the passenger train 
would pass this point at good speed. Just before the 
train was due, there would be seen quite a lot of men 
lined up on the opposite side of the track from camp. 
Thev seemed to be well organized, and there were to be 
seen numbers of small bushy saplings scattered near the 
track for quite a distance. Just as the train was ap- 
proaching, the windows would be full, looking ahead, as 
is usual when one is looking ahead and something un- 
usual is in sight, all of one accord seem to know it, and 
the most of them push well out to see. Just at the op- 
portune time— up went brush and off dropped the head- 
wear of the passengers— then the scramble for the booty 
commenced. This practice was soon discovered and a 
guard placed to prevent, but from change in head-cover- 
ing in camp, this trick had worked well. 

If I remember right, it was spring time when 
we were at this camp; and there was more poor 
beef issued, bv odds, than ever distributed in the same 
length of time, to my knowledge. The i)ublic road 
ran near and along front of the camp and when the cow 
brutes were i)assing to the slaughter pen beyond, it was 
a common remark that we would draw beef tomorrow 
as the quartermaster was driving to see what to kill 
fh-st— as all that could not travel were said to be lor 
next slaughter. This was not a fact, however, but so 
near the true condition that it would be hard to draw 
the line, as I would see the herds passing the road and 
visiting the slaughter pens, from sight, the conclusion 



88 After Battle of Gettysburg. 

I readied was as follows : The beef stock of all ages 
and sizes was exhausted in that section, and that we 
were gathering in the milch cows and one would think, 
"Old lady — your time next, and if your destiny is a 
flight to the great unknown, what a meeting of the herd 
of mother, children and great, great-grandchildren; and 
if death could be reached by desire, that you certainly 
were not a resourceful brute." In every brute there was 
depicted the wanting condition of the owner. The once 
pride of the family was slowly but surely starving to 
death and the end was near, for there were numbers 
that one would think when they lay down that they never 
would rise again until skinned and carted away to their 
last resting place — the soldier's stomach. The most of 
this meat, when cooked, would turn to jelly and one 
would think of sweetening. It was not necessary to 
have a peg to hang it on — throw it against a tree and 
it would stick. Need not necessarily be a nearby tree, 
as there was but little danger of its being stolen, as each 
fellow had enough of the kind. After being thrown 
against the tree it had the appearance of some hideous 
picture of a sea monster trying to climb down, as the 
tendons would stick where they came in contact with 
the tree and would slowly stretch from the weight of 
body whether the entire piece would go to strings, or 
not. We never made a test, but I have often pulled meat 
off — if such it could be called — when the meat was from 
two to four inches below where it first struck. If the 
reader of this undertakes to make test to prove the cor- 
rectness of this statement, I would ask him to go for his 
material where he can get fair samples under like con- 
ditions. Here was where it was reported that some men 
ate the unborn calf if it was spotted. This word 
"spotted" was to denote one that had the hair on. 



Battle of Chickamaui^iiii 

From this point 1 will take tlie reader to Cliickaniau- 
"ua. It was reported that Loiis'street's corps was re- 
inforcing Johnson. When we left the train we were 
marched a few miles and thrown in line of l)atttle and 
forward no great distance mitil we were near the enemy 
and were ordered to lie down. While lying here, to our 
right the batttle was raging and a few bullets being 
sent from our front that were coming uncomfortably 
close, under the nervous strain. I fell asleep as 1 had 
often done before, under like conditions, and there was, 
from what I could learn, a small percentage who would 
take the same. Sleep always has a quieting effect, if 
only for a few minutes, and 1 have often remarked that 
if a fellow wanted a fight out of me, I would advise him 
not to wake me up to get it, for I would be cocked and 
primed for the fray. I was shaken and ordered to rise, 
for just then the enemy raised a yell and charged, 
throwing a hail of bullets our way. We were ordered 
to charge, so we plunged forward with a yell, firing as 
we went. When near, the enemy broke and with but 
little effort at returning fire, so things were going fast 
our wav. A short distance to the enemy's rear where 
thev started the charge, was a high well-built worm 
rail fence, and as I suppose it was the least of their 
thoughts of having to return that way, or they would 
have had it torn down to clear their rear. At this point 
we were crowding them so close that they had no time 
to push down the fence or to climb it. My i)osition in 
line put the corner of the fence about fifty yards to the 
left in passing to the front and about sixty yards trom 
the corner stood a house about ten feet from the tence; 
and on the opposite end of the house was a dirt clnin- 
ney This I would pass near, going to the front, ihe 
enemy who were to my front and right were running 
over a hundred vards off. A great number ot the 



90 Battle of Chickamauga. 

enemy wlio were running down tlie fence and turning 
the corner attracted my attention from my immediate 
front. Between the house and fence there was a block 
that extended nearly back to the corner of the fence — a 
great majority of them were in a pushing motion and 
jammed and at close range. I got two shots and thought 
— oh, for a shotgun loaded with buck shot! I saw I 
could not get loaded in time to get a third shot before 
the jamb would be broken, so I struck a long trot and 
was loading to get a shot just as I would clear the far 
corner of the house. I was passing the end of the house 
about twenty feet to my left when something struck 
my left foot as I had it up and thrown forward. As I 
came down on it I fell forward, striking the edge of the 
hole that was made in removing dirt for the chimney; 
so in rolling into the hole I landed on my back, stretched 
full length. Instantly I saw I was well protected, and 
from sounds, I supposed a piece of flying shell had hit 
hard enough to trip me. There had been no pain up to 
this time, so the idea struck me that I was not wounded 
and had a coward's position, and I was liable to be seen 
in it. I raised my head to get up, and as I cast my eyes 
to my feet, I saw the leather on the left shoe torn near 
center on inside. I turned my foot and saw rent on 
the outside near the heel, I quickly removed the shoe 
and found I had a bad foot wound made by a bullet. 
The hole, when lying down, was all one could wish to 
protect ; but fear of capture put me at once hopping. As 
I was passing back about seventy-five yards, I was near 
an oak tree about twenty inches in diameter ; there was 
a wounded Yank sitting down, leaning against it. This 
gave him protection from the bullets of his own men. 
Pain here struck me and I felt faint, so with a hop or 
two I was at the Yank's side, and as there was not room 
enough for two, I gave him a shove, saying: "The day 
is ours." He fell over in a doubled position on his side, 
made no attempt to move, but was groaning. I was not 
more than well seated with back resting against the 
tree, when the sound of volley firing rang out and bul- 



Battt.r of C^htckamauga. ^*1 

our 



lets flying thick, and the Texas yell raised. I know 
boys were charging- reserve. I instantly threw my- 
self far enough around the tree to see the front. There 
were our boys charging in scattered battle line and the 
enemy firing from solid column. I knew the eneuiy 
were doing but little harm as their bullets were flying 
high, but I thought discretion was the better part of 
valor and that I would hop on; so I started and would 
become blind and fall about every hundred feet, but 
had no more than hit the ground full length before T 
was scrambling up and off. This falling continued for 
some distance, but all the time 1 had an eye for a dead 
Yankee to prowl; so I soon was near one and stopped, 
kneeling and went through him, as it was called. lie 
was a poor corpse and it was a poor haul— his knai^sack 
was good but was light and as T did not have tune to 
make an honorable exchange, I had it off and on my 
shoulders, over mine, in quick time. I picked up a gun 
and tried to use as a crutch, but soon dropped it, as I 
found I could make faster time hopping and speed was 
what I was after. I struck a ''hide-out" and he offered 
help. I told hhn he should be at the front ; that I was 
making good time. He said he was going no further; 
and I said: "You can help me then, and in that way be 
doing something for your country." He was ciuickly 
by my side and I was resting my hand on his shcuilder 
but saw it retarded my speed. T became blinded and 
fell. He helped me up, asking if T was shot again 1 
replied: "No, and will not need your services." Our 
reserve was standing just in front. He pushed on 
through, a few yards ahead of me; was asked how the 
front was, and replied that they were kilhng lots of 
our men. As I came up, they opened ranks and let me 
through, asking me how the front was. T replied : " W e 
are giving them hell, boys." There was a chorus of 
voices: "He has been there, you bet," and such like 
A few hundred vards to the rear of the reserve T found 
an ambulance. This was my second wound and T never 
got aid from Utter bearers and only saw the two men- 



92 Battle of Ohickamauga. 

tioned at Manasas, so I guess I always got out early 
in the game. At an opportune time I examined my 
knapsack, found sveral well written sweet letters and 
from the wording, that fellow sure had some sweet girl 
stuck on him for she was anticipating a happy meeting 
and fulfillment of vows, when the ''Rebs'" were whipped 
and the cruel war was over. Letters did not arouse any 
sjTupathy in me, nor have I felt one pang of regret for 
being a party to breaking up that match. She wanted 
me whipped — she got that; I wanted dead Yankees — I 
got that. So both at least got part of their wants sat- 
isfied. 

When I arrived at the field infirmary it was dark 
and there was straw for bedding. I was put in about 
fifty feet from operating table, with a few others between 
me and it. I lay there all night, bleeding slowly, as my 
wound was not of a nature that required immediate at- 
tention. Near the table, but not in line, was a stout 
young man who was shot through the head. From the 
sides the brain could be seen oozing out. He seemed to 
be suffering greatly and would rise, make a step or two, 
and fall. He repeated this time and time again for 
([uite a while after day light. I don't know at what hour 
he was lu'ought in, but I thought how brutal human cus- 
tom was in this particular, and wondered if it was 
handed down from barbarism and why it was that doc- 
tor or friend could not end one's misery, even if done 
with the best method at hand and that was only a rock 
or club. With brutes we sympathize and aid — with man 
we do not, for death is the only relief. I have often 
heard the remark: ''Poor fellow; he had better ten 
thousand times be dead." I look upon it as cowardice 
in time of great need, for true friendship is he who 
comes in when the world goes out. 

During the night there had been a great number of 
wounded brought to this point. The doctors looked worn. 
You would often hear at such times that they drank too 
much, but it must take a good nerve to stand it and 
the best remedy to prevent breaking down to go through, 



Battle of Chickamauga. I)."! 

as 1 have seen it, the long liours that their duty falls. 
Some say that it is not necessary, or other preventatives 
would do as well. When such remarks are heard by me, 
I say, "your oi)inion is not worthy of weight, as you 
have not been tried." As I lay on my pallet that morn- 
ing- and heard the continuous roar of battle to the 
front, I gave the different parts of the line the closest 
attention from the rifle roar. If I detected the least 
change in sound on any part of the line it was figured 
as far as my reason could in shaping the lay of -the line 
of battle, and as the roar went on at times T would 
mark out in mind some quick change, some parts appar- 
ently at a standstill. At one time I had our left cen- 
ter giving, and remarked that if it did not stop soon I 
would start for the depot, which was several miles off. 
One of the "F" boys standing near, said: "Bill, how 
foolish; you would drop on the wayside long before you 
reached the point." My reply was: "I can hop as fast 
as I can walk, and it does not tire me much more than 
walking." Finally there was a perceptible decrease of 
sound on the entire line, and I felt much relieved. Slow- 
ly but surely our whole line was moving to the front and 
it was only a short time before one could not picture the 
shape of the ])attle line as the distance was so great that 
there was no distinction in the roar, (hie of "F" boys 
had received a shot in the side of his face and through 
the nose and was passing through, seeing what there was 
to be seen. He looked so disfigured by the shot and 
swelling that he looked funuy. When he saw me he 
came nearer and we each ex])lained the nature of our 
wounds and about the point we had received them. T 
then commenced joking him, telling him he would make 
better success courting when he got back, with his back to 
the girls. AVhen I got through, he said: "That will be 
better than you; as you can't turn any way to hide your 
wooden leg." I said: "Yes, if I had one." I was de- 
bating in my mind on what the doctors would decide 
when I went on the o]>erating table and was chloro- 
formed for probing examination, so his joke struck me 



94 After Battle of Chick amaugua, 

in a tender point that was hurting before he spoke. He 
said: "Don't you see that man up there (calling his 
name) he will come first, and you watch and see what 
they will do for him, for when I was at the table, Doc- 
tor Roberts (who was the regiment surgeon) told me 
that from what he could see, passing, the man mentioned 
and you would lose a foot." By this time I was well 

worked up and said : ' ' You are a D L , Frank. ' ' 

He said: "Bill, watch," and walked on. His words 
sounded as one talking badly through his nose, and were 
laughable — when one was in humor for it. So I lay and 
watched. The man mentioned was soon on the table, 
examined, and foot cast in scrap heap. Just before op- 
eration was complete, or rather the binding was com- 
plete, Dr. Roberts started m}^ way. He halted when at 
my feet, and said: "Fletcher, I want to examine your 
wound," and in a stooping position, had partly got his 
finger in the wound, before I realized what his mode of 
examination would be. Under the pain caused and the 
impulse of the moment, my right foot was quickly 
against his left shoulder, and as his head was toward 
me, with a quick shove, I sent him backwards, but not 
hard enough but w^hat he could keep from falling. His 
face was flushed when he steadied himself, and he said: 
"I will leave you alone, without treatment." My re- 
ply was: "Doc, that is what I want, and the fellow that 
I considered most to blame would make the mistake of 
his life if treated without my sanction, as that man 
(calling his name) has been treated — put under influ- 
ence of something and when he comes to, his foot gone." 
That evening I was hauled to the station and put aboard 
car and was off, not knowing w^here. Was taken off to 
Augusta, Georgia, and I thought the doctor had sent 
me to the limit of distance. I was quartered in a good 
size church, bunked in a pew, with space filled in. I 
lay there with my head to the wall and feet to the aisle 
so my wound was convenient to dress, which was once 
in twenty-four hours. I attended to wetting cloth from 
time to time. The most of the dressing was done by 



After Battle of Chickamaugua. 95 

Sisters of Charity— it was my first experience and I 
was in love with the women and the uniform at once and 
have not gotten over it yet; for there is a feeling of 
gratitude up])ermost when and where my eyes behold 
them. 1 have often thought: was that branch of the 
human family, as it were, the mother of the Red Cross 
Society. My early education, but T am proud to say not 
at home, however, was far different. It came from the 
Methodist and Baptist pulpits, as they were the only 
denominations that 1 had heard preach, and T was 
reared under their influence until seventeen years old. 
Nearly all of the old grandmothers, both white and 
black, caught on and there was no place in heaven for 
a catholic; but mv o])inion changed, after falling in love 
and mv religious' efforts ceased feeling: ^'If there was 
a God "he was a just one," and if He in justice consigned 
the sisters to hell, there was no use of me trying, as I 
had alreadv done enough to be on the unpardonable list 
I am thankful, however, expressions have changed,, if 
opinion has not, for the old soldiers would have been 
scrapping to this dav. Don't discredit me, however, as 
throwing discredit at the people of Augusta, as one 
could not be more fortunate than to be allotted as T 
and quite a number were, but the sisters were on to 
their job and were thrown more in a motherly contact 
with the bovs when the most of them were luning for 
a mother's or sister's care. I was soon furnished with 
a strip of bandage bv a sister, long enough to swing my 
foot to the shoulder and T sure did play the act of ex- 
pert hopper in town, as T was free to go and come at 
will ; and distance had no terror for me. I would nearly 
every dav take a long jaunt through different parts ot 
the town'trving, however, daily to get a pair of crutches. 
I made repeated applications at the hospital and shop, 
but it was some time before I obtained a pair. The shop 
men got to telling me that T was at the bottom of the 
list. I attracted some attention on my hopping rounds, 
and was often remarked about. The crutches finally 
came and I was proud of them-not as I was tired, but 



96 Aftee Battle of Chtckamaugua. 

wanted a change. Gangrene had started among the 
wonnded and there was an appeal notice published ask- 
ing the citizens to take care of all the wonnded possi- 
ble, as it was contagious. A Mrs. McKinnon called in 
a buggy for one. I was hustled in and my treatment at 
the McKinnon home was royal ; but it was of short dura- 
tion. Gangrene in a few days set in where the bullet 
entered and I was returned to the hospital for treat- 
ment. Here they burned the wound with acid and it was 
very painful. The first three applications nearly gave 
me the horrors and especially the first. If I had been 
a drunkard I would probably have thought I at least 
was threatened with delirium tremens, as the worn or 
snakey feeling would start at the mouth of wound and 
make a hurried zig-zag run up near the knee, then would 
return as though backing out, and running out of the 
wound. The relief was instantaneous when the sena- 
tion had ])assed out, but was repeated at short intervals 
for two hours for the first time, the others of less dura- 
tion. By the time it was through, I was nearly ex- 
hausted. This treatment, if I remember correctly, was 
kept up for seven days, burning each day. After the 
distressing muscular sensation had passed off, the mind 
dread was well rooted and all the unfortunates would 
look forward to the coming day with dread. The hospital 
medical attendants through their ignorance, caused un- 
told suffering. I suppose the disease was new to them. 
There finally arrived a doctor who was said to be a 
hospital inspector. He stopped the burning treatment 
and had warm jwultice applied. Soon after the poul- 
tice application there was a great expression of relief 
and joy, both by patient and nurse. In a few days the 
wounds had sloughed and were healing nicely. My foot 
was gradually straightening or turning down, which 
would have caused me to walk on my toes. This had 
gone so far that the doctors who examined it left it 
to me, saying they would break it if I wished, but ad- 
vised against it, as I would not have one chance in ten 
of saving it. I said I would prefer life with a crooked 



After Rattt.e of Chtckamauotja. W^ 

leg and walking on toes, to an artiticial foot; so they 
said thev would consider it no more. Near the front 
of the liospital, in the center of the street, was a public 
well where I would go in the morning to wash my face. 
I would jumi) u]) on the innu]) ])latform, which was al)out 
eighteen inches high, lean my crutch against the pump 
barrel and rest ray knee on it to steady myself, make 
a few strokes and wash as water was running out of 
the spout. The Catholic church was only a short dis- 
tance from the pump, on the same side of the street as 
the hospital. There was some order of service of un- 
usual attendance one morning, and while I was washmg 
there were a number of women and girls who came pour- 
ing out at the front entrance. I knew there would be 
(]uite a lot pass mv way, so I was in a hurry to get through 
before thev commenced passing. My knee slipi)ed down 
the crutch until my toes touched the floor. The pain 
was sharp and from some cause I fell forward and heard 
the tearing loose or breaking at or near my ankle. 1 
rolled off the platform in the dust, but was up instantly 
with crutches under mv arm making fast time for the 
hospital struck my bunk and sent a fast runner tor 
doctors Thev responded promptly, made an examma- 
tion and said" I had done what they were afraid to do, 
but would do their best to save my foot. The pam was 
intense. In about fortv-eight hours the doctors rei)orted 
it safe and instructed working ankle joint and i^ressmg 
it back often, hurt or no hurt, and when it got well I 
would have a serviceable foot. \ followed instructions, 

and came out all 0. K. • , ., * 

Soon I was transferred some distance, with others to 
a small town and remained th-re until 1 reported for 
dutv This i^lace fed different from the Augusta hos- 
pital Thev had the table set and the food allowance 
at each place. So, near meal time there was quite a 
crowd iammed against and near the dining room door, 
and when the door was opened, there was a scramble 
and rush to get the best place. The best place was he 
one the fellow thought as he passed the side of the table 



98 After Battle of Ohtckamaugua. 

that had the most ^riih at it; but it was like picking- ap- 
ples out of an assorted pile. Men in our condition were 
generally hoggish, so there was quite a murmur of com- 
plaint about being half fed, and I was one of the chronic 
grumblers, as I could not see how we could get able for 
duty, being half fed. One day I was crutching it out 
in town and seeing a pair of scales in a store, the idea 
struck me to weigh. I went in, asked permission to weigh 
and was granted ; so I hopped on the i)latf orm, leaned my 
crutch against the scale and tipped the beam at one 
hundred and eighty-two pounds. I tried weights back 
and forth on beam and found that they were in work- 
ing order. The storeman was watching nearby. I 
asked him if the scales were right and he replied : 
"Yes," I asked for both buyer and seller. He said: 
"Why do you ask?" Answer: "Because I weigh one 
hundred and eighty-two pounds and I am not getting 
half fed at the hospital — and one hundred and sixty-five 
pounds is the most I ever weighed, well fed. He laughed 
heartily, and said: "Young man, it is not the amount 
of food you eat that you do best on. It is on natural 
requirements. Appetite is often greedy and should be 
guarded." I thanked him and returned to the hospital, 
thinking he had read 0. S. Fowler's books. I told the 
boys in my room my experience, and said: "Boys, let's 
quit grumbling for I guess these fellows are on to their 
job and are fattening us up so we will l)e able to live 
a while by sucking our paw, when thev return us for 
duty." 

Leaving the hospital, T struck my command quartered 
in East Tennessee. The boys were faring very well and 
said when they struck the place there was lots to eat 
for both man and beast, but foraging was now getting 
some distance off and the country was nearly all Union 
people, and there was but little mercy shown; and a fel- 
low had to watch the jayhawkers or he would lose his 
scalp, and now foraging was done by details of good 
number, as the jayhawkers were bad. I have often 
heard A. N. Vaughn relate some of his experiences while 



After Battijo ok ( ■iiickamaugua. 99 

out trying- to c'ai)tui-e jayhawkers at night. They liad 
surrounded a liouse of a noted one and burst open the 
door. They found him under a bed and with cocked 
guns ])ointing, the wife yelled out saying all the rough, 
abusive words at her command and that if they were 
going to shoot him, to take him from under the bed and 
out of the house, and to leave her no nasty mess to 
clean up. 

At this camp I made application for transfer to the 
8th Texas Cavalry, commonly called Terry's Texas 
Rangers. The examining board was slow reporting 
on me, or at least company officers had kept mum if it 
had been made, and others who had been examined had 
heard of their case, so I went to the company officer 
and asked why the report in my case was withheld. He 
said he would see about it, but tried to dissuade me 
from transferring. My reply was : ''I think I know my 
condition best as I can yet do honorable and good 
service as a cavalryman." I would not accept mounted 
courier position, as suggested, as that was fighting with- 
out a gun ; and to try further infantry duty, I protested, 
as my hip wound had nearly disabled me at times and 
I had pained and not murmured and I thought with the 
two wounds I would be a burden as six months had 
now passed and T could not walk ten miles ; and as warm 
weather was near at hand the army soon would be mov- 
ing, and I could not start in with a hard foot. This 
would necessitate my lagging behind with the wagon 
train and being called wagon dog, and the cavalry boys 
singing to us when passing. I thought I would prefer 
desertion, and desertion with me would have meant the 
passing of life with the unknown with a changed name. 
The infantry were good at guying the cavalry and 
thought the boys had little to do but to find Yankees 
for them to figlit, and as the Yankees were so plentiful, 
they had an easy job. The cavalry boys vented their 
feelings mostly at the wagon dog when passing the 
wagon train bv singing a song that was said to have 



100 After Battle of (^htckamaitgua. 

been composed by one of tbe Terry l)oys, which ran as 
follows : 

"Come, all yon wagon dogs, rejoice — 

L will sing you a song, 
If you'll join in the chorus — bow wow wow; 

When we go to leave this world, 

We will 2'o above with sheets unfurled — bow wow- 



The term "wagon dog'" meant the unfortunate on 
marches or those who were not able to keep up; and it 
made no difference how honorable a soldier was, he was 
subject to shirs and it was caused by the company he 
was thrown with, who were a few who played sick and 
in the most cases were ingenious cusses in their mode 
of deception. So, with the probabilities at times of be- 
ing a wagon dog and my set determination not to be 
liable, in a few days after talking to the officer, I re- 
ceived a transfer to Company E 8th Texas Cavalry. 
I bought for a few dollars a horse and saddle which one 
of the infantry boys had. The horse was hardly fit for 
cavalry but would swap well when the trading condi- 
tions were right ; but my mount was quite an improve- 
ment and relief to a tender foot. In my cavalry exper- 
ience I soon found it was no soft job and its only catchy 
part was that it moved oftener and faster than in- 
fantry; and I felt when applying for transfer that if I 
remained with the infantry I would be confined to the 
camp, or in other words, would be at all times with the 
main body. AVhile I expected nothing more in cavalry, 
yet I knew the changing and outings of a cavalryman 
were greater. I also well knew, or at least such was 
my feelings, that the rangers were well fixed with scout- 
ing material that were expert shots and horsemen, and 
that being the case fully satisfied me with my lot as 
cavalryman. 

I enlisted in infantry, August, 1861, and was trans- 
ferred to cavalry, March, 1864. There were a few others 



After Rattlk ok ('iiicKA:\rAr(;uA. ]()1 

of the 5th Infantry who wci-e transferred and all re- 
ported the same day. We arrived late in the evening-. 
I looked up John Pipkin, a Beaumont boy, found he was 
just in from a near all-day foraging- trip. The country 
was almost destitute of all food and living, less women 
and children. John divided his day's pillage with me 
and two other boys who were with me. John was of 
the kind that never went wanting if the other boys had 
it and the other fellow would not protest, for he knew 
John was liberal to a fault and w'ould give away his 
last — let it be tobacco, man or horse food, if the other 
fellow needed it. John said : ' ' This dividing necessi- 
tates foraging tomorrow, and as we have to go a con- 
siderable distance, we will start early and I will take you 
to a place where 1 tried to get corn, but could not as 
the corn is in a house, under one post-corner bedstead 
and shucked, but guarded with an axe in the hands of 
the gamest woman I ever tried to deal with. She would 
neither sell for Confed., give, or allow a fellow a chance 
to steal." In due time we were on top of a hill about 
half a mile off and in sight of the house — up went 
smoke. John said: '"She sees us and is notifying the 
surroundings, but there is no danger getting bush- 
wdiacked in a country like this unless you are alone, but 
squads are often shot at up in the mountains." We 
were soon at the house and dismounted and started to 
go in the door — the house was a log-pen, about fourteen 
feet square, puncheon floor, and large fire place at the 
end and door at the side — there stood the determined 
woman, with club-axe near. There was about a five gal- 
lon pot hanging over the fire full of water and it was 
boiling. She had in one hand the longest handled gourd 
I think I ever saw. The bow^l of the gourd would 
hold about a quart. With one hand on the door-facing, 
and the stretch -of both arms and the length of the han- 
dle she could easily dip water and when we ventured 
near she would give us a dousing. We had on caped 
overcoats with cape thrown over our heads ; so, by turn- 
ing oui' backs we would not be scalded. If a fellow 



102 After Battle of (Ihickamaltgua. 

turned quickly after the water was thrown, thinking he 
could rush on her and grab her, he would see his mis- 
take, as she would, by quick motion, have gourd in the 
pot, handle in reach and axe in hand. We saw there were 
no words to persuade and no thought on our part of 
forcing, so other methods were resorted to by means of 
a lever to ])art the puncheon under the bed so the corn 
could be pulled out. She caught on, however, when the 
first man who had left the front returned and the second 
one went around the house out of sight. As the horses were 
standing not far from that end of the house, she could 
not see them, standing in the door; the second man had 
time to get a sack and was squatted down filling it with 
corn, when without warning, she sprang forward from 
the door with axe in hand at the mob in front. We were 
standing at a safe distance, however, and soon had a 
greater margin. As she jumped, we yelled "Look out," 
and it was well we did, as her play was to shoo us and 
get in her work on the fellow who was loading up sack. 
He was up and out of the way in time. She stood us 
at bay only a short while after this, seeing it was a hard 
job to guard both sides; so she proposed to let us in to 
get corn, provided we would promise not to be greedy. 
This we did and carried it out, but the first party filling 
a sack had discovered bacon under the house and had a 
piece in his sack; so we caught on and two others did 
likewise, without detection. The fourth or. last man was 
detected and if one of the boys had not caught the up- 
lifted axe, there would have been one riderless horse. 
The woman captured the piece of bacon, however, and 
we rode off. 1 asked John if this kind of work had been 
going on long, and he said: "Yes, and that this woman 
was in fine fix, compared to some," if she and her hide- 
out husband were all the family, and from seeing only 
one bed he guessed it was. 

The cavalry moved about soon after this, but soon 
left the country, or at least a part of it. We received 
orders to get three days' rations and be ready to march 
and it was well impressed that we were to pass through 



After Battle of ChickamauOua. lOS 

a barren region, with few settlers, but the chances were 
we would l)e hairassed at favorable points by the jav- 
hawkers and to be sure and provide well for horses as 
we would have a long and hard march before striking- a 
supply, and there would be no foraging allowed and 
straggling to the rear would be sure death. It was said 
the conscript act had put nearly all the liable ones on 
the dodge, of a large section of East Tennessee and that 
there were but few killed or captured; therefore, there 
must be a great number hid in the mountains and the 
officers felt the seriousness of the march and the men 
felt how would they feel and what would they do if they 
were in the jayhawkers' shoes, standing trembling in 
the cold, dodging from place to place, with once a com- 
fortable home, but fearing to go to it to pass the night; 
and if they did, to find about all the food necessities 
gone. This condition was not wholly confined to the 
Union num, as the country was looked upon as a Union 
country, and there seemed to be no lines drawn. As 1 
reported for duty, some time after camp was struck, I 
cannot say that there was any general order to that ef- 
fect, but eating the country out was practiced by a con- 
tinuous divide and I guess often with little regard to a 
fair half. In gathering the three days' rations by the 
company's detail, there was yet a s))ark of human feel- 
ing left in both officers and privates of the battling 
front. I was in Company E's foraging scjuad, com- 
manded by the sergeant,- and we had gone quite a dis- 
tance with no success, as the continuous dividing pro- 
cess had left only a pittance with a barren and frozen 
country as a fore and background, without animal to 
ride or slaughter. We were much disgusted and dis- 
couraged. To our front and right, al)out a fourth of a 
mile we discovered a scjuad larger than ours. We went 
to them and found a lieutenant in charge. Our officer 
inquired of the lieutenant the cause of waiting. His re- 
ply was: "There are thirty or forty bushels of corn 
and some fodder in a barn loft which was standing near 
by, and from the great mmibei- of women and children 



104 After Battle of Chickamaugua. 

who were at the house he could not make up his mind to 
take it without different orders and that he had sent 
couriers some time since with a report and was await- 
ing orders. The sergeant ordered us to dismount and 
wait for a reply, so there was a mixing and talking. 
Some of the boys who had been at the house said that 
there had been four sitting at the table for breakfast and 
gave the number of women and children, and if I recol- 
lect right, it was near thirty, and I heard the remark 
that there was a bushel of corn and a bundle of fodder 
apiece, and there was a low murmur heard of their now 
sad plight, as they claimed that that was all they had 
as a whole. The orders came to "Take it;" and there 
was a rush and scramble filling sacks and grabbing fod- 
der. When I was satisfied, I climbed down to make 
room for others. This went on until all were satisfied 
or the supply exhausted and the query when my detail 
rode off, was: "Was there any left!" and it was the 
general opinion, "Little, if any." When we charged the 
pile, as it were, the women and children came running 
and screaming in agony, but thier appeals were not 
heeded. When I got out of the scramble and noise of 
the men, returning with my booty to my horse, I could 
hear from the appeals of the mother to an allwise and 
merciful God that they were not of the cursing and 
abusive kind; and I thought of the saying that every- 
thing goes in war, but it should be qualified by except- 
ing prayer, as I had been taught that God would answer 
prayer that came from the heart, and if there ever was 
prayer offered that emanated from the soul these poor 
women had none or it was not in hearing, as it were of 
a just God. But my views have since been that one 
loaded gun in hand would have been more effect- 
ive than the prayers of all the mothers and the 
crying and begging of the children. I have often thought 
— where did the orders emanate from, if any, that held 
a corps of men, if such, without any apparent restraint 
in a country to be overrun and the food supply consumed 
to starve out, as it were, a few Union men who would 



After Battle of Chickamaugua. 105 

have been a burden to the fighting ranks, and why does 
man in his dictatorial powers assume the role of God 
and bring- down punishment upon the helpless innocent 
to correct the errors of others? vSeeing conditions as 
I did caused me to think how unfortunate one was to 
have his earthly holdings in a section of country that 
was treated as a part of P^ast Tennessee was, during the 
Civil War and other sections passed over by the in- 
vader, and it was all done to free the negro; and when 
done by the flow of blood, three out of four of the liber- 
ators cared not a copper for the freedom of the negro ; 
and about the same proportion on the Southern side 
did not give a damn. It was all caused by unbalanced 
leaders and the ignorant masses following to a point 
that history will show that there was one generation of 
warriors reared in this country; and it was fortunate 
for other governments that we got enough of the blood- 
spilling business at home. I often think of how for- 
tunate the generation before and after were, for it was 
a question that had to be settled at some time and it 
was simply a repetition of history that boasted edu- 
cated christianized man still retains his savage ances- 
tor's law that "might is right." 

******* 

Leaving this section, we passed through well closed up, 
a rough and barren country, with but few settlers: 
and as far as I knew, with no attempt by bushwhackers 
or jayhawkers, as they were conmionly called, to har- 
rass our line of march, though at times in the mountain 
gaps one or more could have created great confusion 
with but little danger to self, if he kept his foothold as 
his greatest danger was plunging downward. We were 
not long on this move before there was all the active 
service to perform that one could desire. We were re- 
tarding the enemy's advance, at times at the front flank 
or rear, and I assure you, there was always a job ahead. 
There are but few instances, however, (for want of mem- 
ory) that I will attempt to describe. My first brush 
with the enemy was on their rear, near Kingston, 



106 After Battle of Ohtckamaugija. 

Georgia. We charged a wagou train guard composed of 
cavalry. I was very desirous of getting a good horse 
and side arms, and to do so I knew the head fellow had 
the best chance, so at the order, "Charge," I plunged 
forward, firing carbine with no heed to alignment. I 
was soon near fifty yards to the front and was in near 
as much danger of being shot from rear as front, but 
my anxiety was such that the position was not a con- 
sideration. Just as I heard the words: "Keep in line" 
shouted, my horse was struck in the breast and fell and 
I was thrown off and well mixed with the dust, as the 
place I struck was well supplied. I was up instantly, 
brushed my eyes with my hand, then looking to the 
front saw the enemy fleeing — to my front and about one 
hundred yards lay a Yank on his stomach, stretched at 
full length. I made a run for him, but a mount well 
armed who did not need the pistol, beat me to it. I pro- 
cured the fellow's spurs, but had to sit on his ^ legs 
to hold them still while removing. By the time I had 
them off his kicking and groaning days were over. I 
returned to my horse and found it standing up, saw it 
was struck in the lower part of the neck, but was not 
bleeding badly and could walk with but little apparent 
pain. I lead it to the rear — one of the boys let me have 
a captured horse to ride, and as we slowly retraced our 
steps I had but little difficulty in keeping up. Night 
came on, and 1 guess it was as dark as they ever get in 
any part of the world, as eyes at any distance were use- 
less and the way we kept close up in march was by those 
in our immediate front, when they starting to move, 
saying: "Forward." My wounded horse fell, and in 
falling the lead line was jerked from my hand. I dis- 
mounted, holding the bridle reins and started a search 
for my horse. I soon found this was a failure, as I or 
the horse would be run into by the moving animals. I 
remembered seeing a light a short distance from the 
road not far to the rear, so I led well out of the road 
and started forward in an opposite direction by sound 
of the march, feeling and slowly groping my way. I 



After Battle of Chick am augua. 107 

soon saw the li,iJ:ht and made for it, got a torch, mounted 
and soon found my wounded liorse, and was moving in 
column. We had captured quite a lot of prisoners, and 
wagons and teams; and I thought there would be few 
prisoners, if any, in sight next morning; but from ap- 
pearances they were all there and I thought they must 
be of other stock than ours or they would have known 
the darker the night the better. My horse did not have 
a serious wound; was only weakened by loss of blood, 
so I was soon astride the old bay mare, equipped with 
a nice pair of spurs — was soon in the rear again, mov- 
ing about lively. Tom Reaverly, one of Hood's Brigade 
transfers, and I were on the lookout for a mount and had 
a permit. I made three swaps on the trij) and Tom made 
seven. My first swap was just across the road from a 
residence that the column was moving in and it was 
night — I had gone into the barn lot and changed horse. 
Just as I was riding in column, the old man had discov- 
ered me and had gotten through the column, grabbed 
my reins and said "Woo-woo, I thought it took two to 
make a trade." Just as I said: *'You ain't read up, 
old man," one of the boys jammed his horse on him and 
he turned loose. The last I heard of him one would think 
if he had been knocked down, would he have taken the 
hint?" The next time T swapjied it was near the edge 
of a small town, I taking a nice, sleek mule. It was 
night and the woman of the place heard us and was soon 
on the scene, dressed in white, and she sure said enough 
— at times her words were such that I guess she for- 
got she was a preacher's wife, or at least that was used 
in her pleadings. The horse I left was a good one, but 
too slow for cavalry service. We rode through the town 
and found a scouting party camped. It was in charge 
of one of Company "E's" lieutenants. We stopped for 
the night. The next morning, bright and early, a woman 
was at camp and reported me to the officer. He claimed 
no authority in the matter and told her it was my duty 
to keep well mounted if the stock was in the country 
to press. She appealed to me and I agreed to return, 



108 After Battle of Chickamaugua. 

if she would tell me the hiding of some good horse near 
by. She made me promise not to mention information, 
then she gave me the hiding place of three good horses 
about two miles out in a small opening in a bushy sur- 
rounding. As I passed back through town I could hear 
on every side of the street: "There goes the fellow who 
stole the mule." We found the place where the horses 
had been, from signs — but none were to be found. We 
dismounted at a fence that enclosed the small opening, 
and as a shed was near far side, walked in. I was some 
distance ahead of pard, and not expecting an attack from 
any direction; so when nearing the shelter there was a 
boy stepped from hiding in the path, between Pard and 
me. He had a small rifle, and I don't suppose he had 
seen Pard— the first I knew was when Pard said: 
•*Drop that gun." When I looked around he had 
dropped it. We left the old gun, but took the boy and 
started toward the residence, which was about half a 
mile away. We struck a plum orchard near the house 
and were sitting on our horses, eating greedily of the 
fruit when we were 'si)ied by the man of the house. He 
was near us before he made himself known, raising a 
racket about our impudence and such like. We discov- 
ered a pistol, on the Colt's order, in his pocket and made 
him deliver. We ordered him to stand with our other 
prisoner and when we finished satisfying our wants, 
told the boy to return to his gun, but not to start our 
way again with it in his hand, AVe told the old man to 
move to the front and to obey orders. We instructed 
him to- go to the back yard gate near by and to open 
same. He did so, and we told him to proceed to the 
front gate. In doing this we passed near the house just 
at the opportune time. He darted forward; Tom 
spurred his horse to the door, entered, and I was quickly 
at an open window, and almost as quick as a flash he 
had placed a chair by the wall, then in it, with his hand 
on a gun that was in a rack that was too high for him 
to reach from the floor. Two voices rang out: "Hands 
off!" The old fellow twisted his neck so he could see. 



After Battle OF Chtckamaugua. 109 

and lowered his hand and caiiic out as ordered. He 
opened tlie g'ate; we rode off with him in eompany as 
prisoner. He, by this time, had eooled down and was 
talking- with better judgment. He wanted the retni^n of 
his fine re])eating pistol, and would do most anything to 
get it. 1 pro])osed that if he would tell me where there 
was a good horse, and I succeeded in getting it, and it 
was not too far off, 1 would return and give him his 
pistol. He readily consented and gave directions which 
were about one and a half miles off. We turned him 
loose, and had no trouble in finding the place, and sure 
enough there w^as coming our way in a plow, the horse 
described. We were at the front gate. I made our busi- 
ness known — man hooted at the idea of trade. I told him 
it wonld be of short duration, as we were on the enemy's 
flank and rear and were raiding their rear; and as we 
would return out that way, he could get his horse back 
in a week or so, possibly well tired; as my horse was as 
good as his, if rested up, there could be but little differ- 
ence. He read the hand-writing on the wall and slowly 
but grumbling, unharnessed. 1 was soon in the saddle 
with no intent of looking foi- others to devour, as Tom 
and T were well moimted. While making the trade, the 
mother with a bevy of nice girls came up and put in their 
protests, but I could not rue, as I had closed the trade 
at first sight. This was what one would call pressing 
by owner's consent. This animal ])roved all that one 
could desire. AVe were soon at the front again and 
found the enemy slowly but surely moving forward as 
some great serpent with its prey ahead, at times send- 
ing forth its fiery red tongue. Our army was contesting 
every inch of ground, both night and day. The enemy 
with good cavalry force, raided our rear. I was on de- 
tail at the time, and John Pipkin and T were some dis- 
tance out on outi^ost duty. We received instructions 
through a hurried courier that the enemy was raiding 
our rear and to locate them as soon as ])ossible and that 
the detail would follow. We pushed hurriedly in the 
direction indicated and after traveling several miles we 



110 After Battle of Chickamaugua. 

came to a burned bridge, but could not determine by 
which army it had been burned. We soon found a cross- 
ing and were beyond the bridge in the road about half 
a mile, when we discovered, a few hundred yards to our 
right, a mass of moving beings. We started in their 
direction, with houses in front that would screen our 
approach, with no thought of rear, in case of a hurried 
retreat. We made the desired point about two hundred 
and fifty yards from the moving body and found it to 
be a mixture of mounted enemy and negroes, with every 
conceivable mode of transportation. John and I con- 
cluded to have a little fun by shooting at the mounted 
enemy, not caring a straw whether we hit a negro or 
not. We turned loose with our carbines, three charges 
each — terror reigned, and there was as if by magic, a 
dismounting, jumping from carts and wagons; and I 
guess there were a number of mothers who forgot their 
babes, and grandmas and grandpas who forgot, for the 
time, that there was such a thing as rheumatism. John 
and I were enjoying the fun immensely, looking only for 
an attack from the front. The road that we had come 
in on intersected road the enemy was on, and our atten- 
tion was soon attracted by the charging enemy's noise 
to our left and rear, on this road. We turned to our 
right at speed, with bullets coming our way. We soon 
struck a wooded, boggy flat, about one hundred yards 
wide. We had no choice of direction, but plunged through 
under the force of spurs and a rain of bullets, with our 
horses belly deep in the mud. This had retarded our 
speed and from the number of the enemy at close dis- 
tance, it was remarkable that we made our escape with- 
out a scratch. Just after crossing the bog we were on 
a steep up-grade for a short distance and at the brow of 
the hill was a worm rail fence. The bullets were yet 
raining. John dismounted to tear down the fence. I 
called to him to mount, just as I threw the weight of my 
horse against it. The fence flattened and John and I 
were soon out of bullet's reach, with no enemy attempt- 
ing to follow. The mud was now to our advantage; and 
I guess there was not a horse in their bunch that would 



After Battle of Chickamaugua. Ill 

have made it throui>,'h unless it was in the lead, as ours. 
We were soon at the top of a ^ood elevation and in 
sight of our boys on the opposite side of the stream that 
the burned bridge crossed. Hearing the noise that John 
and I had started, made all the report necessary. My 
horse, when I stopped, gave signs of complete let down, 
and apparently was badly thumped. John's horse, which 
was of mouse color and a Texas Mustang and which he 
had when I joined him in East Tennessee, was consum- 
ing everything eatable near, apparently no worse for the 
wear. I had often scolded him for the unnecessary hard 
rides and little care he would give his horse; and when 
I would get after him he would say: "Bill, it makes no 
difference, you can't kill him." Seeing my well groomed 
and kept horse trembling and breathing fast, I said: 

"John, look at that D horse." His reply was: "I 

guess you will let me alone hereafter, and believe me." 
In the course of thirty minutes we concluded my horse 
was worse scared than hurt; mounted and rode off in 
the direction of the enemy's travel; heard at times some 
shooting, knew that our scouts were retarding their 
movement and keeping them bunched as much as possi- 
ble. On the second day we met one of our boys who 
was one of the scattered crowd, as we were trying to re- 
tard until our forces could come up to force battle. He 
knew nothing of our fighting force, but said: "Boys," 
and pointing to a house that was in sight, some distance 
away, ' ' they were crowding a bunch of Yankees and they 
ran "into the house to fortify, but Clem Basset was so 
near that by the time they got in and closed the doors, 
he had his six-shooter at a crack and downed four, be- 
fore they surrendered." Clem had the reputation of 
always having a full hand when called. 

Our forces soon met the enemy and they took to the 
woods, and their position was a very favorable one for 
them. They were held by being harrassed in the timber, 
making no 'effort to escape, but strictly on the defense. 
Our forces, I suppose, were near equal, or our officers 
expected a surrender, or we would have forced the fight. 
Night came on, and sometime during the night the enemy 



112 After Battle of Chickamaugua. 

passed out; and, from reports, there were found in the 
water holes of a small stream m the woods quite a num- 
ber of pistols. They crossed the river a few miles off 
from the point of the day's hiding- and it was swimming. 
Prom reports, they disposed of a lot of pistols in cross- 
ing the river. Some of the boys were said to have made 
a good haul by diving. We were soon in front again, 
and kept well occupied. Here was where T had my first 
experience of dismounting to fight. AVe were dis- 
mounted and thrown some distance ahead. The enemy 
seemed to be in good force, and from the roar and hail 
of bullets, we concluded we had struck a line armed with 
sixteen-shooters. We did not venture near or remain 
long, before we were ordered to fall back and mount. 
This order is always promptly and quickly obeyed, as 
the average cavalr^^nan feels near half-whipped if he 
has to leave his horse any great distance, to fight. We 
were not held at the front duties long, and soon turned 
up in the enemy's rear in considerable force, destroying 
the railroad where it could be done with little or no re- 
sistance. Our worst resistance was what were called 
"block houses," and we generally found them at the 
streams or openings where bridging or trestling, if de- 
stroyed, would cause much delay in traffic. Block houses 
were built of small logs notched down, with holes in the 
wall to shoot through, and were stationed at a point to 
best protect the structure, if attempted destruction. The 
country was fairly well sui)plied with worm rail fencing 
near one or both sides of the railroad track. We were 
moved in column of regiments near the side of the road 
and when the desired |)oint had been reached, we were 
halted, generally fronting toward the road, dismounted — 
every fourth man holding the horses, and the balance 
put to carrying fence rails and placing them on each 
side of the rail on one side of the track. Six or eight 
rails all well connected would make sufficient heat when 
fired, to bend the rails by expansion, and ruin the ties. 
AVhen a regiment had completed its front, it would move 
to front of column and repeat the same ^performance, 
and as there was a large body of us, by this method we 



After Battle of ('mic"kamatt(jita. 113 

destroyed diii-ini>- twenty-roiir hours a good iiiiloa.i^^e of 
track; but at all times, as far as I knew, we kept clear 
of the block house sharp shooters. At points wliere 
there were no fence rails and cordwood was handy, we 
would use it. At night, on long straight pieces of track 
the sight of the long line of fire looked beautiful to the 
destroyer. This was a long and laborious raid, and both 
man and horse were well worn when it terminated. Afy 
plow animal proved rather an exce])tion and was among 
the least worn at the outcome, and my horse and the 
one rode by Fox Trammel did more than their portion 
the last few days of company detail, yet Trammel's horse 
was said to have been drawn by him at first service and 
was not in the hands of a good master. It was said that 
we treated about five hundred miles of road in Sher- 
man's rear in this way. We were, at one time, what 
was called five days and nights in the saddle— which 
was not unsaddling. When we could, we fed our horses 
twice a day — at such times we could cook, eat or get 
sleep; but our labor was nearly continuous, without un- 
saddling, for that length of time. One would do fairly 
well for sleep if he could nap while riding, which the 
most of us did. T had a funny experience the fii'st night 
after the five days. The order was passed along thv^ 
marching colunm that we would go into camp for the 
night, and not knowing at what point our regiment would 
turn out or the amount of the delay befoi'e it did, T pro- 
posed to one of the comi^any's boys that we increase our 
pace and ride up one side of the moving column and the 
first place we struck where the men were camping to 
turn in. We did this, and dismounted in a small en- 
closure — found the same wet and muddy. There were 
several small logs on the ground and they were in one 
layer, touching each other, which made a log flooring- 
four or five feet wide. They had been in this position 
some time, as was evidenced by vegetable growth that 
had come up between them. This we mashed down ; we 
spread on two blankets, stretched a small fly tent about 
5x7 feet, to ]u-otect from rain. The horses cared for, 
we were soon between the blankets and the night was 



114 After Batti.e of Chickamaugua. 

drizzlinc; rain, and twilight. When we crawled in we 
heard a bnzzing noise nnder our blankets and thought 
we were over a bumblebees' nest but were soon asleep — 
for how long, I don 't know. I was awakened by the bees 
stinging me. I rolled out in a hurry, gave pard a punch 
and told him to get up, as the bees were out in force and 
would sting him. He grunted, and mumbled out some- 
thing which, I guess if it had been clearly and distinctly 
said, I would not have understood for the bees were un- 
der my clothing and in the hair of my head, as well as 
on the outside; and I was busy ridding my person and 
clothing of them and yet, with all the haste I could sum- 
mon, I got well stung. After getting rid of them I was 
agreeably surprised at the short duration of pain that 
followed the sting. The cause must have been the con- 
dition of a well-tired and worn body. The bees were of 
the large white-back kind and were generally classed 
as the next stinger, in point of pain, to the hornet. I 
wanted to move; but pard, from his soundness of sleep, 
was all right; and as I had asked him to follow me and 
I would divide shelter for the night, I could not remove 
it; and as it was rather damp to be without it, I con- 
cluded to try it again, so I pulled out the covering 
blanket and rid it of the bees, wrapped it around me 
and crawled under the roofing. I tucked the blanket 
around my feet, and covered head and hands well, and 
thought I was safe from further attack. I considered 
that I had not wronged pard and from his motionless 
body, under the existing conditions, one would suppose 
he was near lifeless — so much so, that I thought he had 
the bees fooled, for they will not sting unless there are 
signs of life; and the more and faster one moves seems 
to suit them better. I do not know how long I lay undis- 
turbed in my supposed safe protection. I must have 
laid very quiet, for when I awoke there was quite a num- 
ber of bees stinging me, on nearly all parts of my body 
at the same time. I suppose they thought of me as they 
did of pard, or there could not have been the number 
that was under my clothing without waking me earlier. 
I have often thought my death-like sleep fooled them. 



AfTRH IIVJTLH ()!<' ClIICKAMAUGUA. 115 

and when on tlieir rambles some one or more struck a 
point of pulsation and found their mistake, and stung 
me, and under the pain I moved, and all that were in 
position were jnit on notice. I sure was well stung be- 
fore I could rid my body of the pest ; but fortunately, as 
at the first attack, the pain was soon gone and I found 
no swelling. The bees did not attempt to fly, but were 
good walkers and, from their white backs, could be seen 
a short distance in the twilight. Pard was yet on his 
back, and I guess had not moved a limb from his first 
position when he entered the shelter. . I could only hear 
him breathe when near and listening. I went to his side 
of the tent to experiment, as I thought it was clear of 
bees. This I knew was not the case on my side, for I 
had carried them out. I could neither see nor hear any 
on his side from under the roof, but they were crawling 
at will over his body. I knelt near his side and with my 
finger thumped and pressed on exposed part of his body 
until I got stung, then 1 got a short piece of weed and 
opened his shirt bosom; so after trying all parts of the 
exposed or naked body, and not seeing one twitch or 
hearing as much as a sigh, I thought the test was com- 
pleted — that bees would not sting him or had taken him 
for dead — and I thought the saying "dead asleep" 
would have been well applied to this subject. I concluded 
to leave pard in his glory and try other quarters, so I 
spent the balance of the night on top of a near by rail 
fence — by placing two rails side by side and rolling up 
in my blanket and lying on my stomach and using my 
arms for pillows. The ground was too wet and sloi)py to 
lay on, when there was better accommodation so easily 
arranged. One without experience may think that such 
lodging is imaginary — if so, get your physical and men- 
tal condition right and nuike a test and you will for a 
time, enjoy it. 1 was soon asleep, with no fear of over- 
sleeping. I awoke and was u\) at dawn — had fly tent 
down; had given pard a few ])unches (he was not so 
hard to arouse) told him to get up for mercy sake and 
move his horse a good distance off, as the bees would 
soon be on the wing and would sting him. As for my- 



116 Aftee Battle ob^ Chtckamaugua. 

self and horse, we would soon be well out of danger; 
and we were. He said lie knew nothing- after he fell 
asleep until just then; and if stung, was not aware of 
it. We were now making for a crossing on Tennessee 
River and when reached, we forded it at night. It was 
wide and swift at the place of crossing, and my horse 
got his feet or legs foul and was washed down by the 
current — horse and rider both went under, but 1 stuck 
to the saddle, and the horse was soon up again. When 
we had crossed the river there was a sigh of relief and a 
feeling of pride in our accomplishments. We though 
Sherman's army would be put to their wits end and pos- 
sibly fall back to their base of sui)plies, but such was 
not the case, for when we swung around near his front 
it did not take one with much intellect to see that one 
of the greatest rear raids of the war was a failure, for 
we could hear the rumble of the trains, as usual ; and it 
was said we did nothing to cause hunger to either man 
or beast, or create a shortage in the supply of ammuni- 
tion. It was said that Sherman was expecting the raid 
and was well supplied with all the necessities and had 
all the men and material at hand to repair the damage 
to transportation nearly as fast as done, so instead of 
using his army to battle in the rear, he was slowly but 
surely advancing — while we were exhausting our efforts 
in the rear. We struck the enemy after recrossing the 
river, on their right and rear, and were one day feeling 
our way to their front. Upon finding their whereabouts 
we commenced slowly falling back. The enemy were fol- 
lowing, but there was little firing by either side, and 
that, at long range. I, with some others, had passed 
in a scattered condition over a piece of woodland well 
set with undergrowth. I stopi^ed in the woods, about 
fifty yards from an opening I could see to the front, 
as there was no order of alignment, and the distance 
between us was at times so great that one could not see 
the right or left man in the thick underbrush, and hear- 
ing was somewhat of a guide to alignment. I heard, to 
my right rear, a noise ; took it to be one of our men. The 
idea struck me that I was too far to the front and I was 



Aftkh I>a'I"I'lk ok ( *iik'Kamai'(;i;a. 117 

waiting for tlio man to get to my right, and tlien move 
on. From the sound, 1 knew the man would come into 
alignment with me at about one hundred feet distance. 
I had turned my horse so I was looking nearly straight 
to that point and was in this t)osition a short time wh-^-n 
the riders rode up and were looking straight forward, 
and had observed the opening to their front. 1 in- 
stantly saw that 1 was too far to the rear or the riders 
were too far to the front. At the point of the halt, the 
opening in the In-ush between us was sufficient to cIcmi"- 
ly see. I instantly had cocked, and raised gun — for their 
uniform, at a glance, was sufficient. The two riders 
stopped, side by side, and the one nearest me was a boy 
about the size, or less, than the one whom 1 have vnen- 
tioned among the dead at Fredericksburg. 1 saw 1 could 
not hit the man without shooting through the boy and I 
thought if, by chance, I could shoot the man down with 
out injury to the boy, that he would force me to kill him 
in self defense. When these ideas had flashed through 
my mind the thought of possil)le remorse caused me to 
lower my gun, turn horse, and spur him at quick time to 
their left and enter the opening some distance to their 
left front. When I entered the opening, 1 saw our men 
well to the front. I have often thought of this occur- 
rence. I cannot say, with pride, however; for T was hold- 
ing individual remorse above duty to my country. 



Cai>ture and Escape 

The next incident of note was in battle line, near Rome, 
Georg-ia; and from what 1 could see, the rangers were 
detached from the other cavalry. We were lined u]) in 
an open fiekl with a thick underbrush and tim))er growth 
not far to our rear, and in front a sliort distance there 
seemed to be a stream or water drain from the timber ap- 
pearance. And beyond, for a consideral)le distance, there 
was an open field, and on the far side of this field and 
near the timber, we could plainly see the enemy's in- 
fantry forming in battle line ; and we thought they were 
preparing- to advance, so I guess all eyes were to the 
front, with no thought of flank, for the first warning we 
had of being flanked l)y the enemy's cavalry was their 
nearness and the charging and shooting at our right, 
and as we were formed at right angle to the main road 
that we had come in on, we were, to a great extent, cut 
off from the road and the greater part of the Rebs in 
rtheir flight took to the woods, or to the near country 
or farm road and were soon strung out in the road, 
making the best run they could in single or double file, 
and the Yanks were in close ])ursuit, running about in 
the same order as we were. 1 heard some firing on the 
main road and from that and the direction we were run- 
ning our road ran nearly parallel to the i)ublic road. 1 
heard no attemv)t to form and fight, and 1 afterwards 
learned that the run was made to prevent the enemy from 
cutting us off from the mountain gap. The distance 
from start to finish, was said to be about nine miles, but 
the Rebs got to the gaj) first and stopped— the longest 
run, I guess, the Terry boys were ever in. Soon after 
we 'entered the farm road, I dropi^ed to the rear and 
commenced what is called fii-ing on retreat. As the 
brush at places was so thick, there wei-e but few men 
in action at times; and often not moi-e than two. The 
enemy seemed to be cheered l)y catching us na])pmg 
and were making every effort to crowd us, but had to 



120 Capture and Escape. 

keep to the road, so their advance guard had none the 
advantage of our rear guard. After emptying my ear- 
bine, I spurred up the line and reloaded, and was check- 
ing at favorable places to be at or near the rear so I 
could come into action when I thought I could render 
service. This was my first opportunity while in cavalry 
to get into a scrap of the kind and as I knew there was 
no special rear guard for the occasion, therefore, it was 
a free for all business, and as all the other fellows had 
opportunities before, it made me rather greedy to be in 
the rear when 1 could have as well kept my place in line. 
At a point where there were but few men to the rear of 
me, and my horse was going at a sweeping lope, it put 
both forefeet into a hole that was made by the rotting of 
a stump, but did not fall ; but while in the act of recov- 
ering, it was struck by a near horse and thrown on its 
side, my left foot and leg were under the horse, but both 
feet clear of stirrup. I grabbed the bridle reins near 
the bit with my left hand and at each effort of the horse 
to get up it was struck, but I hung to the rein and was 
fortunate enough not to be trampled upon. In my 
animal's last effort to rise, it was across the road on its 
knees, and I was on one hand and knees ; and in this 
position I was knocked loose from my hold on the reins 
by a rear horse, which was a large dark bay or brown, 
rode by a lieutenant. The horse, in passing the head 
of my horse, struck me about the center of the forehead 
with its right fore leg. I fell back, and saw stars, as 
it were. I was stretched full length on my back with my 
head from the enemy and my hand loose from the rein. 
As I arose I saw two Yanks in sight, coming my way. 
I turned, running; saw my horse fleeing at good speed. 
I was a moderately fast runner, especially when scared. 
I thought I could overtake our rear, but they fast left 
me — and from the noise behind, I knew the Yanks were 
gaining. They were not shooting, but were having their 

fun at my expense, yelling: "Run you Rebel S of a 

B . Hide out; we will catch you, Johnnie," and such 

like. From the noise, I knew they were gaining fast; 
but I did not have time to look around. My mind at this 



Capture and Escapk. 121 

time was eonceiiti'ated on one ])oint only, and tliat was, 
run — had no tliou^lit of surrender, or overtaking- our 
men, as hope in that direction had gone; it was run, run. 
The noise beliind indicated their nearness and urging of 
horses that they were going to run over me. They had 
never said surrender, and T luid no mind that there was 
such a thing. My first thought of realization was the 
attempt to run over me and their horses heads were near 
my back when this thought sti-uck me. \ si)rang to my 
right instantly — the right horse cleared me about a foot 
— the rider could have knocked me down, if he had been 
expecting the move. The right man fired first and as 
their horses were near speed, tlie smoke i)assed to the 
front and right. Tlie left man fii-ed over the rump of 
the right horse, but from the smoke of the first shot, T 
did not note the direction the ball passed. The next 
thought was to fall; the next to lie still; the next — 1 am 
not hit or I would have heard shot. 1 was laying on my 
right side witii my feet nearest the road looking the way 
I was running. 1 had come to my senses now enough to 
hurriedly think and plan; had eyes near closed — saw the 
two Yanks rein up ; heard noise l)ehind ; the two Yanks 
turned and started to me. Just then an officer with a 
squad of twenty or thirty came up. The officer halted 
the s([uad, gave the two men a good cursing for stop- 
ping to i)rowl dead Rebs when the fighting line were 
near l)y, and threatened them with punishment, or any 
others he caught; ordered them on at speed and he gave 
the command: "Forward," and dashed ahead — the 
officer was but a minute halting, cursing and moving. 
I could hear a noise to the rear and knew that others 
were coming, and took chances as the squad passed, of 
any of them looking back. Just at my back, with limbs 
to the road, stood a scrubby oak tree, several inches 
in diameter. At the ground the foliage was thick and 
some of it was near or resting on the ground. I quick- 
ly crawled under and lay drawn up on the opposite side 
of the body of the tree, face to the road. The second 
squad sooii passed at a good speed— there were nearly 
two hundred in this l)ody. The firing now was quite 



122 Capture and Escape. 

a distance off — heard a roaring to the rear and was sat- 
isfied that it was the enemy's main force. I looked for 
other hiding; saw about two hundred feet from the 
road a good sized uprooted tree; was soon on the op- 
posite side, hiying fhit, with my body well wedged un- 
der the curve of the log. By quick work, I just had 
time to avoid detection. I lay in this position while a 
large troop of cavalry passed at full loping speed. 
When their rear had passed, I raised up and looked well 
to the rear for stragglers — saw none, neither did I much 
expect it, for the distance the main body was behind the 
advance caused me to think they were fearful of an am- 
buscade. After they had all passed, I went to opposite 
the place where I was dismounted. I kept well to the 
side of the road, in brush, cautiously going to the point 
and seeing no straggling enemy, was soon on and over 
full fifty yards of the road that horse and I had been 
thumped over, picking up such articles as were to be 
seen of the wreck; found a piece of tobacco and a sil- 
ver spoon, that I got near the pontoon bridge on the 
Rappahannock, also my carbine, and it looked to be un- 
harmed, and I took it to be in perfect order, and I knew 
it was freshly loaded, so I pronounced it good and that 
I was in luck. All other earthly effects, less clothes on 
my body, were gone; so, as it were, I nmst make a new 
start in life. I was soon in the foot hills, making fair 
time in the direction of my command; saw, during day- 
light, several small squads of the enemy roaming the 
country. When night came, I left the foot hills and took 
my chances on more level ground, but followed down the 
mountain range. I did not, see or hear the enemy during 
night tramp; struck our outpost on the road, passed 
near them unobserved, and found my command at the 
entrance of the mountain gap. The next morning I got 
leave of absence to remount. Before leaving camp, some 
of the boys gave me two light home-spun spreads, as 
they were called, and a Yankee rubber rain proof which 
was of size about four by five feet, with a hole in the 
center, for one's head. So, with a freshly loaded carbine 
and a few extra cartridges, and well housed from the 



Capture and Escape. 12r5 

cold or rain, 1 was soon near the enemy's picket line 
across the river from Rome. T was several days scout- 
ing near, before T made an attempt to mount. The 
Yanks during the time sent out several foraging par- 
ties, but they were too large and kept so near bunched 
up that I saw no favorable chance of getting a horse. 
While on this bum I met two fellows who had seen no 
service, but who were anxious to. From their talk I 
guessed them to be sincere — they both had good guns; 
so I told them I would give them a trial and help mount 
them, provided they would faithfully obey orders. They 
promised, and as they were well versed in the surround- 
ings, I was soon advised of the best mode of proceed- 
ure and the best way to retreat when going out mounted. 
I took my time and in fact was taking advantage of my 
liberty, and as the Yanks had not treated that section 
brutally, there was plenty to eat at all the places at which 
I stopped; but all the stock was taken that was fit for 
work or food; but no other depredations or abuses heard 
of, less the use of fencing for fires. I was at and near 
the place several times where I was dismounted. Near 
by lived a widow — her family consisted of two 
daughters and one son. She had been a resident of 
Rome, but had moved out when the enemy took posses- 
sion. I stayed one night at this house, and was told of 
the Rebel stampede and the enemy's close p.ursuit; and 
on their return there was a search made for a dead Reb 
who had been killed nearby on the side of the road, and 
they accused them of hiding the body, as they knew they 
had killed him for one of them had i)laced his gun agamst 
his head and fired, and the other had plugged him in the 
breast as he fell, and they knew he was dead for they 
stopped and looked at him and said they were going to 
prowl him and have evidence to show what they had done, 
but the officer came up too quick and nuide them go on. 
The family were curious if it was as they said, as none 
of the near neighbors knew of a newly made grave. }Mien 
thev got through, I asked if they knew of a hole m the 
road'just in sight of the house and they said **Yes, 
where a stump had rotted. ' ' I asked how far it was from 



124 Capture and Escape. 

that point to the dead Reb and they said about three 
hundred yards further up from what the Yankees said. 
They were somewhat surprised when I told them to 
make no further inquiry about the newly made grave for 
I was the corpse. While on this outing, I was often 
separated from the boys and they followed instructions, 
as far as I knew; and that was not to fire a gun, only 
in self defense; to take no prisoners as we could not 
get them out; to keep well concealed from the enemy 
or anyone that they knew would inform on us, for our 
only object was to mount, but not to undertake it where 
we were not sure of success. I could have, upon more 
than one occasion, turned out butchering stock from en- 
closure at night, but thought it would possibly have done 
harm instead of good, as the Yanks would have recovered 
the most of them and held it against the near by settlers. 
I could have made captives of some of their infantry, 
but kept out of sight. In about a week's time I got my 
forces together and explained my jilans, which were, to 
capture the two out-riding pickets. This, I found to be 
the custom on one of the main roads, that when the two 
men on post were relieved they rode to the front on the 
road about one-fourth of a mile and at once returned. 
So we came down through brush, between river and 
road to a favorable point, as the two Yanks passed 
going out, we secreted ourselves near the side of the 
road. This was done late in the evening, so the ene- 
my's chances of pursuit were not good. The boys were 
to take the off rider and pay no attention to the near, 
as I would take him. I had cautioned them to be sure 
and not shoot, as we were nearly in sight of their pickets 
and their detail was but a short distance in the rear. 
One of the boys was to go to the rear and the other to 
the front, just as I ordered them to halt and hold up 
their hands ; and mount horse, when rider was disarmed 
and dismounted. At the proper time, as the Yanks were 
returning with no apparent thought of the enemy, I 
stepped out to the front and they obeyed orders. The 
boys went to the proper place and the front one had the 
horse by the bridle rein near bits, but were greatly ex- 



Capture and Escape. 125 

cited and the Yank, seeing- this, was courageous enough 
to stick spurs to his horse and turn and run off, and they 
both shot off their guns when the Yank was at least 
fifty yards off, and I was saying: "Don't shoot." I 
I don't think I ever saw a person lose his senses and go 
to pieces as badly as those two kids did. My prisoner 
was disarmed and dismounted in short order and was 
in front, running to the rear with the boys. I halted 
them when at a safe distance out, and went through 
the Yank's pockets; got a good silver watch and some 
tobacco and swapped boots with him; then turned him 
loose and told him he could report for duty. I mounted 
one of the boys on the horse and instructed him to take 
it home which was several miles off and hide out — and to 
have him attended to, and to return and look us u)). 
The Yank was about as excited as the boys, but seemed 
to be much relieved when told to go. The Yank had no 
side arms, which T regretted, as I had, up to this time, 
failed to procure any, but had no need for them, as the 
carbine so far had been all I had needed. I saw but few 
negroes during the war, with U. S. A. uniform on; but 
on this tramp just out from the picket line late one eve- 
ning I arrested one — he thought he would surely meet 
death, and commenced begging. T told him to (piiet down 
and tell the truth, and I would let him go. I asked him 
several (luestions in regard to the enemy's ])osition in 
and about Rome and some of them I knew to be correct; 
I thought all his answers were about as he understood 
conditions. He claimed to be a servant and had gotten 
permission to go out and see some colored people near 
by and did not think of seeing a Reb. He promised to 
say nothing about out meeting and gave me his knife and 
tobacco for the mere asking. T advised him in future to 
keep well in his line of blue and turned him loose. He 
was very profuse in his thanks. The next morning after 
the capture of the horse, one of the boys and I were some 
miles up the river, looking for a favorable ])lace to swim 
horses, as I knew of the cavalry camps on the op])Osite 
side, and that the enemy only watched the most favor- 
able places. I was hunting a good outcome on the bank 



126 Capture and Escape. 

from them, where they were not guarding; had found 
the same, but was looking further to see if we could find 
a better place. We were so far above town that we 
had no thought of meeting the enemy and were walking 
in a country wagon road that nearly paralleled the river. 
My plan was to swim the river at night, although the 
water was cold. I knew I could keep part of my cloth- 
ing dry and was going to leave the balance, also my gun 
with pard, on the home side, at the selected crossing; 
and I was going to try my luck in making a sneak steal of 
two horses and equipment and putting them across the 
stream. I was confident that I could do it at the proper 
time at night when the cam]i fires were low and all was 
quiet, but while walking in the road mentioned, all was 
lost ; for there appeared to our front, about four hundred 
yards up the road three well mounted Yanks. As soon 
as they saw us they i)ut spurs to their horses and com- 
menced firing. I jum])ed behind a tree and fired and 
told pard to protect and fight. He sure did protect but 
did not fire a shot. His tree of protection was fully 
two hundred yards out from the road, although he passed 
numbers equally as good. After my first shot I could 
not reload. I tried in vain and was so intent that the 
Yanks were on three sides and near, with guns pointing 
and holloaing to drop the gun or they would kill me. 
They fired several shots while coming my way, but all 
went wild of the mark — if I was the intended one. They 
saw my earnest but heli)less condition and semed to have 
no thought of bodily injury, if they could avoid it. After 
I dropped the gun, they called pard in and had consider- 
able sport out of his cowardly run. One of the Yanks 
said to me: "Look here, Reb, you, must be a good shot. 
See this hair cut and ear ])urn! You did it; and you are 
lucky it is no worse, or we would have killed you. The 
ear "don't bleed, but the up])er j^art burns like the mis- 
chief." We were ordered to leave our guns and mount 
behind. We did so and they were off in a lope. I was 
now reflecting on my condition and the cause of my gun 
not working, as I had carried it for some time and it had 
never failed to work promptly. The idea struck me that 



(*APTrT?E AM) Escape. 127 

it was put out of order wlieii lli(> ],or.se fell, in the stam- 
pede, and was run over by llic cavalrv. I tlien thought 
that when I picked up the i^un I prounouneed it unin- 
jured, knew it was loaded and had maiiazine full, but 
^ave it no minute inspection and that it had not been 
fired up to that time, so I felt T had no one to blame hut 
myself for carelessness, as I thoug-ht T could have un- 
manned each horse if gun would have worked, but such 
was then to be my fate, the always dreaded confinement 
of a prisoner. Our captors were young, courageous, but 
inexperienced soldiers, made no unkind or taunting re- 
marks, they seemed to have no thought of attem|)ted 
escape, or they surely would have rode different from 
what they did. The two that had prisoners behind them 
should have paired and rode ahead, but several times T 
and my mount were behind and near up to the front 
couple and each had an army ('olt's in his belt and I saw 
how easy I could Q;et possession of the one that was so 
near me and with it I could give my man a dead shot or 
a stunning blow, and at least shoot one of the front men 
before they could fire with anv de^-ree of con-cctness. 
and would have an even go with the third. All this would 
revolve through my mind and T also thought of the bru- 
tality of such an act perpetrated on men who had shown 
themselves not to be of the abusive or bloodthirsty kind; 
and there was j^ard with his back to me, to consider; foi\ 
in the effort, if started, I might kill him, although T 
felt I would have been better off if some one had done it 
long since^for T thought the beastly cowaixl needed kill- 
ing, but I could not take the chances of doing it. T would 
feel at times that I would be better dead than in ]irison, 
and would, at times, feel that T was near the ])oint of 
desperation. Then a little reasoning would say: all 
wrong; it would be brutal. So I went for some distance 
with this feeling and J cannot to this day say whether 
it was fear of committing an uncalled for brutal act, or 
was it imre cowardice that I did not attem])t to esca])e. 
I had two similar instances t» ha])pen soon after. One 
T did not attempt, i'ov the other fellovr weakened, but 



128 Capture and Escape. 

the mind conditions were similar. The third one was all 
to self and was accomplished and mind strain was sim- 
ilar. Our captors were true to what was said to be Gen- 
eral Sherman's teaching, that '*War is hell," and the 
principle practiced was about the same, "Not to kill, 
but punish." When we had gone some distance, we 
were passing near settlers' places. They would shoot 
such animals as were near the roadside, and if they were 
dead shots, they did not prove it, as I only saw one fall ; 
but they seemed to enjoy even to have hit the brute. I 
well remember one nice flock of sheep that were near 
the road and near the front of a residence. They each 
took several shots at the bunch of poor harmless brutes, 
and to see them squirm in agony, from laughter and re- 
marks, one would at least suppose they were enjoying it. 
I had remonstrated several times before they struck the 
sheep, they taking it good naturedly; but did not heed. 
When they turned loose on the sheep, I said: *'Boys, if 
you had done that in Texas, the owner would follow you 
to your grave, as they do a sheep killing dog ; and I think 
one of the worst men we have in our company will not 
kill a sheep, when he is hungry; and if you live and are 
so fortunate as to ever live in Texas, don't tell this, or 
it will put you in bad repute." They took no offense, 
but laughed at my remarks. My pard's mother and aunt 
lived in Rome, and he was much mortified at being a 
prisoner, and was scared at his probable fate; as the 
Yanks soon found he was a weak subject and had no con- 
trol over his fears, and was very anxious to explain. 
They put a number of questions to him, and got about 
a correct report of our doings. When we struck the main 
road, we were ordered to dismount and walk ahead — the 
road was wet and muddy. Pard and I were walking side 
by side and when the Yanks would ask a question and he 
would start to answer and explain, I would punch him 
with my elbow. They did not order me to desist, but 
seemed to enjoy the punching; so this left it with me to 
punch and curse at will, and several times I sent him 
staggering and groaning nearly across the road by a good 



Capture and Escape. 129 

hard elbow punch in the rib. I suppose the punishment 
was great for both of my elbows felt the effects of the 
blows, and I guess he got a fair share of pain; but with 
all this, he told that we were two of the party of three 
that had captured the picket and how it was done, and 
that I had given him the watch and he had left it with a 
friend, fearing that he would lose it, and stated the 
place the watch was ; and started to tell at what point 
the horse could be found. I said to him in low tone: "If 
you tell, I will cut your throat." This upset him so that 
he made a denial of any knowledge of horse hiding as 
Charley had rode off with no special orders. I have of- 
ten thought of those three young Yanks, and if it was not 
one of the incidents in their lives that they have told 
numbers of times. We crossed the river near the edge 
of town on a pontoon bridge and were taken near the 
center and put in the second story of a small house that 
had a step entrance outside, running with the sidewalk 
and a good sized platform for a landing in front of the 
door. On this platform there was a guard and on 
the sidewalk below there was one who walked post 
length of the building. During the day the entrance door 
was left open at times, one or two prisoners would be 
permitted to stand on the platform and view the sur- 
roundings. I found in the prison fifteen or twenty pris- 
oners, but if I remember correctly, there was not one of 
the old battling line boys. They were partly of the un- 
trained, and partly belonging to no branch of the ser- 
vice; and were confined for some reported or supposed 
offense and were treated the same as prisoners of war. 
I soon got acquainted with a middle aged gentleman who 
was there for the great and heinous crime of aiding and 
sympathizing — if I remember correctly, he was not a 
native, but had been in that vicinity a number of years 
and was well versed in the surroundings and the loyalty 
of the people and he said they might as well imprison 
every white man, woman and child so far as his acquaint- 
ance went — if he had committed a punishable offense. 
He and I soon got somewhat chummy — he had been there 



■ -(30 Capture and Escape. 

several days and well understood prison manag-ement. I 
think I remained in this place five days and thei-e was 
plenty of food provided; but I had no appetite and would 
eat but little. T was restless and was nearly all the time, 
when awake, building- air castles of escape. I was stand- 
ino- on the platform about noon of the second day when 
I saw the provost captain, whom I had learned by sight 
■coming mv way with the man I recognized as the one i 
had captured and was then wearing his boots I was 
fearful there was an investigation on, so T went back into 
the room and rolled bedding around me and laid down 
by the side of the wall, with all parts hid, and played 
asleep I heard them ascending the steps and entering 
and a voice saying, "Look around and see if you can 
find him." I laid motionless, less the thumping ot my 
heart and I thought it was unusually noisy. I did not 
have to lay in this^suspense long, when the covering was 
pulled from my head and a big Dutch form bending over 
me saying in" a brogue well drawn out: "Here he is, 
Cappitan." The captain ordered me up and asked me 
if I did not have on that man's boots. T said. "Yes. it 
he claims they are his, and they w^re mine when I claimed 
them under war custom." The captain's face showed a 
bland smile and he said: "Off with them boots. So 
in short order the exchange was made and I was on my 
feet The captain then stated that he was going to turn 
me over to the cavalrv regiment that my once prisoner 
belono-ed to, to be shot; as T had been reported of intent 
and acts of sufficient proof that T was going to put a 
prisoner to death and bv mismanagement on mv part 
he escaped. I stood motionless, with intent gazing on 
the face of mv iudge and ^iry while he pronounced sen- 
tence which, in mv mind, was to be executed, as ordered. 
When he was through, he asked the green Dutch lank 
if he had not correctlv stated. Before he had time to 
reply I had turned facing him, with uplifted fist, in a 
wild and maniacal rage, daring and cursing and calling 
him all hard names that my memorv was gifted witli. L 
said- "Speak, speak, and a damned liar's teeth go down 



Capture and Escape. ];^1 

his throat." The ijoor h("li)less being trembled and did 
not open his mouth. T think he was the most subdued 
subject I ever saw. Tlie captain saw the pitiful condi- 
tion of his man and spoke, and attracted my attention. 
I faced him in silence. He said he knew the man had re- 
ported correctly and he was going to turn me over to 
the regiment to be shot. The words were not more than 
out of his mouth when I said, in as calm a tone as I could 
command, "Captain, I am an honorable old line soldier, 
served in Hood's Texas Brigade in Virginia; was wound- 
ed twice; disabled from infantry duty; was transferred 
to Terry's Texas Rangers, and when you have shot me, 
you will have committed a crime that the Hood and 
Terry boys will liberally revenge, for under no condi- 
tions can you take me from this prison without publicity. 
If you desire secrecy, you had better shoot the whole 
bunch." He listened very courteously until I was 
through, and turned to walk out, remarking: "Your 
doom is sealed; I will have you shot." I bounded to his 
front, in wild rage; tore the front of my shirt bosom open 
saying: "Shoot, shoot, you damned Yankee, shoot," 
and pounded on my breast, with both fists, at (piick 
motion, with rebound of fist nearly touching his nose, 
and all of the vile names and curse words that I knew, 
and there were many — he got them at lightning-like or- 
der. When I paused in my insane tirade he said: "If 
you don't hush, I will have you bucked and gagged." I 
turned, replying: "1 will hush, for T know you are 
cowardly enough to have it done." He made no rei)ly, 
and he and "Dutchy" were soon out of the room. T had 
thoroughly examined the ])rison before for a place of 
escape. I made another critical examination, but could 
see none so I went out on the stair landing and looked 
the surroundings well over — could see the river l)elow, 
which was a few hundred yards off; could see no guard 
l)Ost from prison to the river, so I soon laid my plans of 
escape or death, as it might l)e, and not be shot down 
like a bound brute. I had worked myself up to nuike the 
attempt if T was not takeji out of the prison before night. 



132 Capture and Escape. 

My plans were, to pallet near the opening of the door 
and to lay and watch my time for a break. The door was 
not locked generally at night, as the platform and the 
street sentinel were considered s^^fficient, so at the still 
of night I intended to carefully open the door enough to 
look through crack and at the opportune time, spring- 
on the platform guard when his back was toward me and 
throw him over the rail, run down the steps and take to 
the water and strike out down stream and land below 
the picket line. All this looked possible, if done quickly 
and courageously. I knew the river was cold, but I 
thought that would be overcome largely by the great 
bodily strain that would be necessary to accomplish the 
desired aim. I was going to leave in my stocking feet, 
without coat or hat. Soon after the captain had gone, 
my captured pard's mother and aunt visited the prison. 
I had met the aunt in the country not far from Rome. 
I had but little to say and would not have said that if 
I had not been acquainted with "Aunty." The women 
were allowed full freedom and were not in any way re- 
stricted in talking, or required to in hearing of the guard, 
so the women stayed as long as they desired, and left at 
will. When they had gone, I beckoned my newly made 
acquaintance to one corner of the room and confidential- 
ly apprised him of my plans. He advised against such 
a hazardous effort as my chances of being shot down 
were many, if I did dispose of the platform guard, and 
if I succeeded in reaching the river, the mile or more in 
its waters that I would have to swim, would chill me to 
a helpless condition and that I would be drowned. I re- 
plied that I had no fear for the condition of my mind 
was such that determination had control, and as for 
drowning, I had long since heard it was one of the most 
pleasant endings; and it would happen out of sight and 
hearing of the enemy's hisses and scorns. When I was 
through, he said : "I know the captain better than you, 
as I have been here some days, and he has visited i)rison 
several times ; I find that he is a great hand to have fun 
at the prisoners' expense, as I have heard him make 



Capture and Escape. 133 

threats before that he never carried out, but none so bad 
as yours." He said he was thoroughly satisfied that his 
intentions were to scare and he would get up some joke to 
tell his brother officers and he said he guessed he had, 
but it was hard on him and his man, for he did not think 
during life he had ever heard so much abuse as I had 
given those two men, and he was satisfied that the cap- 
tain felt beat at his own game. He said some of the 
boys were telling the two lady visitors the happenings 
of the prison and they said: "We have just met the 
captain and he was telling us about it, and remarked 
that was the boldest and most daring man he ever had 
any experience with, but they knew there was no intent 
of his carrying out the threat as he was a nice gentleman 
and had visited their home several times." Later on, 
some of the other prisoners spoke of the matter in an 
encouraging way, and said: "Texas have no fears," 
when one of them laughingly said, "Substitute the word 
'fear' with 'thought,' " and the party said, "I stand 
corrected." So the thing seemed to be as a huge joke 
on the Yanks and was being treated as such by my fel- 
low prisoners, under the conditions. I soon gained my 
composure and reason — hope came to my relief and by 
night I had banished all idea of attempted escape. The 
captain paid us no more visits. 

In this prison was the first and only time I ever had 
to take a dose of abuse of the Southern women. There 
was one of the platform guards one day who seemed to 
enjoy talking braggingly and roughly to the prisoners 
through the open door, and as the room was small, there 
was no chance to escape hearing his words, without stop- 
ping ears. This I had no inclination to do — I kept mum, 
but some of the boys would talk back, which was what 
the black-hearted wretch wanted. I had heard that 
such talk had been indulged in before, under similar con- 
ditions. He seemed to well understand where and how 
to reach man's sensitive point and to enjoy his helpless 
agony. When he was relieved, I said: "Boys, that was 
bitter; but remember the fellow either in war or peace, 



134 Capture and Escape. 

revenge would he sweet with me and I will be ever on 
the lookout," and during the war and years after peace 
there was no object so well photographed on my mind or 
vision as he. 1 think recognition would have been in- 
stantaneous. We were taken from prison, I think, the 
morning of the sixth day and marched to Kingston. My 
chum did not accompany us and I guess that mama and 
aunty had worked their influence. When we arrived at 
Kingston, my appetite had returned, to my great dis- 
comfort, for there was no provision made to relieve hun- 
ger. We spent the night and part of the next morning 
at Kingston and were forwarded by rail in a box car 
for Chattanooga, Tennessee. We had only one guard in 
the car and he was of the rank of sergeant and was armed 
with a Colt's six-shooter. He left one door open and 
stood in and near same. The train moved slow and at 
times was detained on sidings. From appearance, near 
the track, one would suppose there were enough soldiers 
near Sherman's front to quickly fill any gap the Eebs 
might make, and all seemed to be fat and well fed. If 
we had just destroyed great mileage of their transporta- 
tion facilities ! 

When we took the car at Kingston, my ideas were set 
on jumping from the moving train at night and making 
my escape. I had said nothing to anyone about it, as I 
wanted no advice. During the day, at one of our stops, 
there was a hand-cuffed prisoner put into the car. My 
prison-made acquaintance was soon in conversation with 
him. I had gotten reasonably well acquainted with the 
guard, considering the short time. I found him very 
nice and pleasant of expression and asked him the cause 
of the prisoner's handcuffs. He said he was a noted 
"Gorilla," and he and his band was a terror and had 
murdered quite a number of their men, and it was said 
he would be shot — for the proof was sufficient. My 
sympathy was aroused at once for the prisoner, but I 
made no hint of the same to the sergeant, so when my 
prison acquaintance had left the handcuffed man and 
gone to another ]){irt of the car, I had a talk with him 



Capture and Escape. 135 

and he had his sympathy o-reatly aroused; said lie l<new 
the man and his name was Allen, and was known of late 
as C'aptain Allen and was the supposed leader of quite 
a lot of the natives who were giving the Yanks a good 
deal of concern and it was his and Allen's opinion, tliat 
he v^'ould be roughly treated and probably shot. He said 
he knew him as a quiet and industrious man up to the 
time the enemy put their invading foot on (leorgia's 
soil; but since then, his nature seemed to have changed, 
and if reports were correct, he and his squad had been 
very successful and annoying; and that he had learned 
there had been a reward offered for his capture; so while 
together, we formulated a plan for the captain's escape 
in connection with ours, and as he was so thoroughly ac- 
quainted with the country, we would leave the point of 
the Jumi) to his judgment. The plan was this : For each 
of us at times, singly or jointly, to stand near and front- 
ing the door during daylight and for Allen to have but 
little, if any talk; and near the point of the jump at 
night, when we were advised the three of us were to 
be near the door and 1 was to be near the guard's side, 
conversing. The guard generally stood to the right hand 
of the door, leaning against or holding casing. Allen 
was to take middle position. All went well and our fu- 
ture looked bright, and we were at the post. When Al- 
len jumped, I was to jerk the pistol out of guard's belt 
and jump or fall out, and if necessary, take the sergeant 
with me. The third man was to escape as soon as I 
cleared the car, and if I had carried the guard with me, 
he was near to render aid, if needed. The car was dimly 
lighted, and from side glances, unnoticed by the guard, 
I could see that Allen was under great strain. I now was 
fearful that he would break down and not take the plunge 
in the dark. I was two or three times nearly grabbing 
the pistol, thinking he was off. My anxiety at such 
times was so great that I was fearful the guard would, 
or had his susjiicion aroused, but he did not. The train 
was making ten or fifteen miles an hour, and after 
standing in this condition a few miles all hopes were 



136 Capture and Escape. 

blasted. When we passed a line of low smoldering fires 
at right angles from the railroad and the guard re- 
marked that it was onr picket reserve, the idea flashed 
through my mind that we were in the city protection, 
and the reserve consisted of battle line. I asked how 
far to Chattanooga ; and if I remember correctly, it was 
five miles out. About this time we were stopped and a 
reported block of track ahead. It was now well in tlie 
turn of the night. Pard and I stepped back and had a 
few words, to this effect: Day is about two hours off 
and in the enemy's line; speak to Allen and tell him to 
keep from near door, but if opportunity offers to slip 
out and under the car. The night was cold, and we fel- 
lows were chilled. The block ahead was reported bad, 
and possibly would not be cleared till day. We sug- 
gested to the guard the comforts of fire near the front 
of car door if he would permit pard and I to get out, we 
would soon scrape up enough trash to get a comfortable 
warm fire. He consented. We were out and found am- 
ple fuel about forty feet f j-om the track and soon had a 
bright and inviting blaze and were on the opposite side 
rubbing our hands and expressing the feeling of comfort 
and enjoyment. The rest of the boys were asleep, less 
Allen. We invited the guard to come out and partake 
of the comforts. He accepted and slid out of the door. 
Pard and I kept up a contnuous talk. When the guard 
was near the fire, Allen slipped out and went under the 
car and had just passed from sight on the opposite side 
when the guard turned facing the car and stood for a 
moment, then went to the car door and looked in. He 
pulled up and scanned the inside, and then dropped to 
the ground, drew and cocked his pistol and told us to get 
back in the car damned quick. We sure got a move on 
us, feeling good of our success. The guard abused and 
threatened pard considerable, but said not a word to me 
as he wholly blamed him and said he had noticed the in- 
timacy l)etween them several times. I have often thought 
what kind of a yarn the guard made, in excuse of his not 
being able to deliver Allen — the one the Yanks would 



Capture and Escape. 137 

rather have had tlian tlie rest of the hunch. I learned 
in a few days that their cavalry had scoured the near 
country thoronglily for Captain Allen, hut had failed 
to recapture. We got into town after daylight, and were 
put in prison. The enclosure was a space ahout two 
hundred feet square and was enclosed by high brick 
walls. In this enclosure there was a single story 
house about thirty by one hundred feet, which had a 
brick or concrete floor and two barred windows on the 
street end. There was a shallow sink in the enclosure 
about three by ten feet and the stench from it was very 
offensive. I guess disinfectants were not known in those 
days, and as for brooms, if needed, one could use the 
frazzled end of a blanket. There was no vessel that one 
could have washed a garment in, if he was so lucky as 
to have a change. There was no pretense of any offer 
by the captors of anything to aid or better the sanitary 
conditions. The accommodations were well crowded and 
when all were lying down, the floor of the house was fair- 
ly well covered; and I guess it was well it was so, for 
there was no provision made for heating and the weather 
at times was cold; but we all knew how to lie hog in the 
bed style and generally passed the night fairly well, for 
we had not over eaten and our conscience was clear — we 
knew we had committed no wrong, for self-preservation 
born in man is one of his strongest traits, and if killing 
an invader in one's country is not self-preservation, 
please define. We received a small amount of fuel daily 
for fires in the yard, l)ut the amount was so snudl that 
it was rather a punishment, of a cold day, to the most of 
us, as half a dozen small Indian fires were about the 
limit — and that only for one burning. Fortunately for 
me and a lot of other hardened sinners who were there, 
we had roughed it so long that fire could be well dis- 
pensed with, only in extreme cases. Our daily i-ations con- 
sisted of a small thin slice of poor Southern milch cow, 
without any semblance of fat, and two crackers 314 
inches square by % inch thick. This was only issued 
once a day, and that a short time after daylight; but, 



138 Capture and Escape. 

oh, yea gods what a feast ! After this sumptuous break- 
fast was served and before the good taste had gotten 
out of a fellow's mouth, there were a half dozen or more 
slick Yanks in the pen, getting laborers to work on breast- 
works near the city limits, and there seemed to be a com- 
bination or trust with them, for the price offered day 
after day was the same, and that was for six hom-s' 
work — on returning, as entering gate of the prison, to 
issue rations, same as breakfast. Some of the members 
of this labor agency were silver tongued and seductive 
and would always get a good force of weaklings. The 
Yanks were good paymasters, as I heard no accusation 
of sharp practice. I asked some of the boys who lived 
in the Sherman invaded section if they were not work- 
ing for a small slice of Mama's milch cow and possibly 
had not the old lady assisted in threshing the wheat that 
made the crackers? There were, however, a large per- 
centage of the inmates who had heads that controlled 
stomachs, and would refuse the agents with a vim. I 
told them that I would starve, die and go to heaven be- 
fore I would help the Yanks, for I knew there was where 
a fellow would go after death if he left this earth, and 
there was no fear of hell with me, when dead; for the 
Yanks had changed the order of things by stealing or 
buying hell out and moving it on top down South, and 
1 guess the trade was closed and Sherman knew what 
he was talking about, when he said: 'AVar is hell." I 
think that my time in this prison was about fifteen days. 
I felt the pangs of hunger some, but not so much as one 
would suppose. I was daily looking around for a place 
to escape — the two barred windows looked most favor- 
ble. I knew my body was shrinking and would soon be 
small enough to at least give it a trial of forcing through. 
The head I tried several times, but it was not shrinking 
and was too hard to flatten. I envied some of the pris- 
oners' small stature and head, for a size or two smaller 
would have surely worked, for the bars were openly 
spaced. The prisoners did not seem to worry much for 
the amount of dirt they wore. I guess it had more ef- 



CaPTTMJK and FiSCAPF,. l.'^O 

feet on the new l)e,i;iiin(M\ toi- v;\ixs ;ui<l diiM were no 
stranger to the old stager. 

T had heard of the abuses the enemy were heaping 
on the South about the treatment of prisoners, and as 
I was an inmate of one of their prisons, T thought I 
could fairly reason on prison life, at least during the 
war; and T concluded that neither side had anything to 
boast of — for I assure the i-eader if the Southern prisons 
could beat the Chattanooga Yankee ])rison in filtli, poor 
and scanty food, without fuel or heat, then at least they 
should give the South ci-edit for being the most re- 
sourceful and ingenious, for it would have surely taken 
a genius to beat the Chattanooga ])rison, even with that 
to look at — for the rack and stake of centuries passed 
were not more brutal than the confinement in the cold, 
slowly but surely starving. I do not pretend to say 
that the Southern ])risons were any better, for T never 
visited one to see; but 1 concluded they could be no 
worse. But thought would dwell on this one in partic- 
ulr, and that was: "Do two wrongs make one right: 
and is there no way yet de\'ised to correct without fight- 
ing, as it were, the devil with fire," for the North sure- 
ly was trying to correct the wrouo-s and abuses of the 
South and in doing so, was at least trying to place the 
North in the world's light as being more humane than 
the South. But when it comes to cold facts, such was 
not the case — it was not from any svmpathy they had 
with the slave. Political su])remacy was their aim, and 
could it only have been accomplished bv making all the 
states slave holders, they would have whi])i)ed the South 
if they had opjiosed it, and clainicd a nionopolv on tlic 
negro privilege. 

As I have stated before, mv generation was one of 
warriors — made so by the ])reachers and politicians. 
The North was arousing the masses for political ]uir- 
poses and was wedding church and state for that ]mr- 
pose; and was teaching the young to look u]ion a South- 
erner in the light of the devil's emissary. The education 
of the South enuuiatcd from tlie same source, but on 



140 Capture and Escape. 

different lines. It was to weld church and state to- 
gether to combat a threatened foe whose object was to 
impoverish by liberality, property which, under the Con- 
stitution, was not prohibited. For, as I have stated, if 
done for humanity's sake, then there must have been 
considerable change in this country in a short period 
— or the founders of our government were of the brutal 
type, as was claimed of the Southerners, or they would 
have had it provided for in the formation of the govern- 
ment. So, figuring as a whole, the responsible parties 
for the great flow of blood should not be laid at the 
Southerner's door, for the matter of property rights, 
as granted by the Constitution, should, at least be proof 
enough to exonerate; and the cloak of defense of pre- 
serving the Union was not the kernel in the nut — in my 
opinion it was to make a solid North and a solid South, 
and they knew they had us buried, politically ; and as to 
the fighters — T at an early date thought it best to shake 
hands and quit, for we never had any quarrel, but the 
other fellow did. 

When we heard of General Hood's entrance into Ten- 
nessee, my hopes of early freedom were joyful. I felt 
that we would be run North by train for safe keeping. 
My determination was: No more confidence, and sym- 
pathize with none, look out for self, and jump, regard- 
less of risk to person, at opportune time. 

I saw in prison, at two separate times, a Yankee in 
soldier's uniform, hanged by the thumb against the cook 
house wall. This was done by tying thumbs together 
and putting the subject back to the wall, raising the arms 
over his head, lifting the man a little and putting the 
thumb string over a ytes:, letting the feet barely touch 
the ground ; and I think the torture depicted by the face, 
it must be a horrible punishment; and one cannot stand 
a great while before his head drops forward and to one 
side in great agony. They were both what might be 
termed young men and not of a criminal appearance — we 
knew nothing of their offense. T did not watch and see 
the finalitv ; but one of them who was hanged near dark. 



Capture and Escape. 141 

was reported beyond reviving, when cut down — in fact 
was dead and stiff. This was done near our meat bar- 
rels. These barrels were for holding our boiled beef 
after it had been cooked and cooled and cut for issuing. 
I guess this meat was kept on exhibition and just out 
of our reach to aggravate our hunger, and it surely did, 
as I have stood and gazed on it, and often wished that 
I could get a fill of the sweet stuff. The sight of it 
would naturally have turnd any stomach but a starving 
one — the way it was handled, and the lack of fat — and 
as the weather was cold there was generally several 
days' rations ahead. I think it was the next morning 
after we heard of Hood's rear move that we were or- 
dered to get ready and fall in line. We were moved by 
the lunch stand and handed six crackers and three small 
pieces of beef, orbits equivalent in one piece, and were 
told that it was three days' rations. I commenced stor- 
ing mine away at once — not in haversack, however. We 
were ordered to march in double file — the guard had 
told us we were to take the train. We were marched 
several hundred yards to standing box cars. By this 
time my haversack was empty, and my stomach was not 
full. We were ordered to climb in, and with the help 
of a push-up, the cars were soon loaded. I had gotten 
well to the front of the column, and when we were at 
the first car and ordered to load up, I made myself use- 
ful in helping the boys up. When the first car was 
loaded, I had learned the number packed in. We were 
moved forward to the second car. I still continued help- 
ing, and when the count was in, we moved to the third — 
I was the last man in. I did this loading for two pur- 
poses : first to see arrangement of seating and the num- 
ber of stowaways. The seats were made of one by twelve 
across the cars, from door to end, and were close to- 
gether, and were loaded by walking over the top and 
each fellow stepping down, the short leg having the ad- 
vantage as he would not be forced to cram his knees 
against the front seat. There were two planks with 
edges joining or double seat in the center, running 



142 Capture and Escape. 

lengthwise. This gave good space in front of the doors. 
This seat was for the gnard, who was last in, and nnm- 
bered five or six. When helping to load, my remarks 
were pleasant and catchy as I could make them. I was 
not playing for prisoner's favoritism, but for guards'. 
This I succeeded in gaining. The guard was just on the 
outside of our line, when loading, and could see all that 
was going on ; and as the near ones would hear the 
words spoken, I w^as sure I was being heard and noticed. 
I took a seat on the guards' seat, facing, so in traveling 
I could be looking south. When the guard came in, there 
was one seated on each side of me and we were soon in 
conversation. I talked independently, but in a respect- 
ful and ])leasant way. They seemed to be interested in 
my talk and asked a good many questions, and I did 
likewise. They were all natives and in their conversa- 
tion well respected the feelings of the hearers. This was 
found to be the case in nearly all instances with the na- 
tive born; but the fellow who was from the other side 
was generally coarse and crude; and nearly devoid of 
respect for those they were fighting ; but this class of 
men at all times need svm])athy, but made to fear law; 
as they have no make-up for res})ect or love for anything 
but brutal force. Before we pulled out, there was a 
surplus of guards, so claimed, and they were ordered in 
our car, until our guard number was nine. The first 
guard grumbled about being crowded, but never once 
said "move" to me, and kept on conversing — and the 
extra guards had to seat themselves as best they could. 
We moved out with both car doors open, and ran that 
way for some time, but the weather turned cold and 
drizzly and the north door, or the one to my back, was 
closed. We traveled some time this way, and the guards 
opened their well filled haversacks and commenced eat- 
ing. I looked straight to the front to see other diver- 
sions, as a hungry man, having a middle seat at a feast, 
with no thought of partaking, has an indescribable feel- 
ing. The guard to my left, before he connnenced eating, 
had sliced off a nice piece of fat meat and placed it on 



Capture and Escape. 143 

a cracker and offered it to me. I thanked him and took 
it — tried to be genteel in eating- it, but my dog organ 
predominated to such an extent that I soon had the lot 
gulped down and was thinking of a story I had heard 
when I was a boy, of a plan that an old slave owner 
adopted to make his bacon hold out, and that was: To 
tie a string to a piece that could be swallowed and have 
his little negroes swallow and ])ull back, until they had 
gotten their full of fat meat. The right hand guard was 
not one of the sort to be beaten, so he soon had a dupli- 
cate in my hand, and I was equally as profuse in thanks 
and soon had it stowed away; I never was much of a 
talker while eating, and I assure you that I was not at 
this feast. When I got through, T felt good and said: 
*'Boys, you are the riglit sort; and if you ever get out 
of this scrap and come to Texas, look me up, as I surely 
will be there and will see that you get a pleasant recep- 
tion." One of them said: ''Suppose you don't get out 
of the scrap, as you call it." I replied: "Have no fear, 
for I was not made to be killed by a Yankee bullet." 
They laughed and promised to call The man who was 
sitting just behind and to my right, I think, had the 
Texas fever — for I had not much more than gotten 
through inviting the boys down, when he had a du])li- 
cate order to my fi'ont. T accepted, looked around and 
thanked him, and said: "Pard, T want to see your face 
so that T will know you; and when you come to my coun- 
try I will tell the boys to treat you white." He thanked 
me. Now, each of these hand-outs was more nutritious 
than a day's rations. I sat and figured u]) the contents 
of stomach, which were: nine crackers, three slices of 
poor beef, three slices of nice fat, sweet bacon. 

It finally grew dark, and my door of escape was yet 
open. The night was dark; drizzly and breezy. I was 
screwing up my mind to the jumping intch and would 
think of Captain Allen now and then, and was suffer- 
ing some of the agonies he had ex])erienced. My chances 
were less favorable on account of the darkness, rocky 
conditions, as I supposed, and the number of trestles we 



144 Capture and Escape, 

were passing and a faster speed of travel. I was not 
as far in Tennessee yet, as 1 wanted to be when I 
jumped, so I did not take the opportunities as they were 
offered. We stopped now and then on sidings or at 
stations — at one of these an officer passed by the side 
of the car, ordering all doors closed, and stated that one 
fellow had dropped or fallen out at the back station. 
There was one of the guards, who sat on the front cross 
seat, with his right side leaning against the car with 
his legs stretched out, partly covering the door opening 
and the door closed toward him. The door was closed 
as ordered The train started up, and there I was in a 
pen, as it were, with all avenues of escape shut off. One 
can imagine how I felt. We had gone but a short dis- 
tance, when I discovered that the door would work o]ien, 
l)ut the guard with his legs stretched in front of crack 
would reach up and pull it to, when it would open a few 
inches. It was now well in the turn of the night, and 
the guard was sleepy and nodding, but kept the door in 
mind, but let it open a little wider at each time. 1, at 
each opening — which was enough to force myself out 
sideways — would take the cowardly dread of falling out 
in a cut and bounding back, or dro|)]ung off of a high 
trestle. I had my l)lankets folded and on each shoulder, 
crossed fore and after; and I^. S. belt around and fas- 
tened to my waist ; my rubber cloth was in place with head 
through hole; hat was off and pushed between my body 
and the blankets — these were my earthly holdings. The 
guard was nodding nicely. AVhen within about six or 
eight miles of IMurfreesboro, Tennessee, the door was 
open enough to quickly force myself out sideways — the 
guard's left leg was so stretched it had to catch my full 
force at quite a disadvantage, and possibly a dislocated 
knee joint. My near associates were all dozing; in fact, 
r guess I was the only wide awake man in the car, al- 
though I was acting as though I was dozing. The car 
door was about twelve inches open ; I arose, put my left 
foot on the guard's leg, just above the knee — sprang 
through the oy)ning with my right side, giving door a 



('.M'TrnK AM) F.scaim;. 14o 

shove. As I went, tlie train was rniniine^ about fifteen 
miles an hour, and 1 eould see lii^ht enough in front to 
know I would light in an o|)ening and not in a dee]) 
cut — as I wished to avoid any chance of being ground up 
by the train. Up to this time T had a fair amount of 
practical test of mind working, but never before, or 
since, have I had this one opportunity. 

After jumping, or falling, there was a light I'cd or 
pinkish glow before or in my eyes — it was an instanta- 
neous wave as a dim flash of lightning. I stopped walk- 
ing, and my words were sounding, *'A free man, by 
God," and to this day I do not know which was first — 
sight, word or act, or were they all one and the same. 
When reason returned, I was standing two or three 
hundred yards from the railroad track, facing the same, 
for just then a tr'<in passed. T was in a woods road and 
could see, in the twilight on each side, brush that indi- 
cated wood cho])ping. T was on the o])]!osite side of the 
railroad from the side T had jumped, as F afterward 
learned. How long I had been in this dazed condition 
or how far I had walked, T had no knowledge. My rub- 
ber cloth was gone. I had a good sized luni]) on Iod of 
my head, and neck felt like it had been driven up. Xeck 
and head soon became sore, although I had but little 
pain. T turned in the road and saw a wood ])ile near 
by to my right and front, and walked forward. T thought 
my course, to get out, should be southwest. 1 did not 
go far before day ovei'took me. 1 was on top of a high 
hill covered with cedar Ji'rowth; was fairlv well con- 
cealed from the surronndini^- country. The weather was 
cold, cloudv and wet. 1 could se,' about half a mile of, 
the railroad and one block house some distance down 
the track and sentinels wall:in<^- the track to keep warm. 
T saw all was safe as 1 ex])ected no hill ex])lorers on 
account of bad weather. I crawled under a well s])i-ead 
cedar bush, rolled u]> in niv l)lankets and slept a short 
time. I then crawled out and doubled my blankets over 
a cord and used them as a cloak oi" cape — the lower edge 
struck me near the knees. I was well wi-api.cd, anil as 



l^Q Captuee and Escape. 

I thought there was no danger, I would take a stroll on 
the opposite side of the hill from the railroad. Only 
went a short distance when I discovered a log cabin on 
the hillside. I advanced and saw it was not inhabited. 
I found some dry leaf tobacco on stalks; stripped off 
a fair supply and was soon chewing a cud. There was 
a small amount of hav in the house and it looked mvitmg 
as a pallet, but was a risky place to sleep; saw the floor 
was loose. I raised a plank and pushed some hay un- 
derneath; put plank back and arranged hay to avoid 
detection; went out and crawled under and bedded up 
like a hog. There were all the comforts one could ask 
and just as I was dozing and thinking of sweet sleep, 
I heard the sound of horse's hoofs and a rider passed 
near the house. I saw he was not a soldier, but con- 
cluded I was takng too great a chance, so I crawled out 
and was soon up at my old place where the little snow, 
and wind was nearly a bar to visitors. I did not go 
to bed any more, but stamped around to keep warm un- 
til dark came. I could well scan the country for some 
distance from mv elevated position and was carefully 
taking in conditions. Off about three-fourthg of a mile 
from the railroad stood a small house— it was nearly 
one-half a mile from me. I could see from the chimney 
smoke that it was inhabited. It stood in a good sized 
open space, with but few small outhouses. I could see 
no one about, and concluded it was occupied by an old 
man and woman, and as the day was raw they were keep- 
ing housed. When night came on, I went forward slow- 
ly not wanting to make my approach until the neighbors 
were housed. ^ AVhen I got within about two hundred 
yards I stopped until a time arrived that suited to my 
ideas, and when it did, I went to the front gate, which 
was about one hundred feet from the house and halloaed 
''Hello." I could see through cracks that fire was 
burning brightlv. There was a reply through the crack, 
asking what I Wanted. I asked the man to step to the 
gate He said: "If you want to see me, come m. I 
replied- "All right,"' and went in, and made my pres- 



rAPTTRR AN' I) EsCAPE. 147 

euce known by tappiiio' on the door and speaking-. The 
reply was, "If you want to see me, yon mnst come in the 
back door." I said: "All right, for I will be damned 
if I am afraid of you if you are of me. ' ' When I reached 
the rear of the house, I saw the door was open and what 
I took to be the kitchen opposite, but a few feet off, with 
a platform connecting the two doors. The platform was 
narrow— only about the width of the door, and when I 
stepped up I was nearly in front of the door. I saw 
my predicament at a glance. My plans flashed through 
my mmd at lightning speed— how^ I ever thought and 
carried out a plan as though I had rehearsed it a num- 
ber of tnnes, I cannot tell. As I faced the door, with a 
bright fire-lit room about sixteen feet square, there sat 
my old imaginary man in one corner, near the fire place, 
and the old women near the corner nearest me, but more 
in front of the fire. Near the front wall sat three men, 
and well back, near the center of the room, sat two more. 
They had on Yankee uniforms— I saw no arms. My 
first words, spoken in a commanding voice, were: "Are 
you soldiers." There was a chorus of voices, "No." 
I said, "I will not have you molested, then," and stepped 
in. My blankets stood well out behind, and U. S. buckle 
was very prominent in front, so they could not tell 
whether there was one or more six-sliooters hung on. 
By this time the old lady was on her feet, facing me. 
I advanced saying: "Madam, I want some food for 
myself and three others; we were out scouting- in front 
of Hood's army and last night we laid down for rest, 
and left no one to guard; and our horses and saddles 
were stolen and we are very hungry." She said she 
had nothing cooked. I said', "do" and see if you have 
none; bring a good i)iece of bacon." She rather de- 
murred. I said: "Madam, I look rough, but am a gen- 
tleman — don't force me to act rude; go along." She 
started. My hat brim well shaded my' eyes, so T could 
glance about, with but little notice. I turned my l)ack 
to the fire and stood near the hearth, and threw my right 
hand gently to my back under my blankt, but not hard 



148 C'APTHRE AND EsCAPE. 

enough to rattle pistol. I was talking to the old man 
instantly, after getting the old lady started. I talked 
fast and commanding; told him we had not seen sun, 
moon or stars in the last three days and were lost, and 
I wanted direction. Asked how far to Murfreesboro. 
He said "About eight miles. Asked the direction — he 
sulked. I said: "Old man, we ])ropose no harm; don't 
expect to fire a gun while getting out, unless in self de- 
fense, but you must answer me; and if the answers are 
found not correct, you will suffer; if correct, you will 
hear no more of us. I expect to leave the three outer 
guards here for a time after leaving, and I advise all 
to keep indoors, so answer my question. He answered. 
I asked: "What direction is south;" he pointed. I 
asked the direction of the railroad — he spoke and point- 
ed; asked how about the block house, guards, and such 
like, and he freely answered all, and some I knew to be 
correct; and from his precision and earnestness I felt 
they all were. During this time I was casting glances 
at the Yanks and four of them were swallowing it all; 
but the low, dark-skinned, heavy set center floor man 
nearest the back door had all the time exhibited a coun- 
tenance of doubt. While I was putting questions to the 
old man he got up and walked to the kitchen. I caught 
myself in the act of ordering him back; he soon re- 
turned and sat down — I was looking for play. About 
this time the old lady came in with three nice slices of 
cold fried bacon, nearly a whole corn meal dodger, bot- 
tom of plate flowing with gravy or grease, and knife 
and fork. She stepped to the table near the door and 
placed it do^Aii, saying: "Draw that chair up and eat," 
meaning the one near me, that she had been occupying. 
I advanced, remarking: "I could eat it all, but the other 
boys are hungry and a divide will put ' us to the next 
chance." I thanked her. While I was talking, I had 
taken the bread in one hand and forked meat on top with 
my thumb to hold, gave a wishful glance at the gravy, 
and said good night to all, but "Don't leave the house 
for some time." 



Capture and Escape. 149 

When I struck a dark place, you can bet I felt re- 
lieved, and was soon on my stomach with my head near 
a water hole about two hundred yards out, eating and 
drinking. I was near the i)ath the Yanks would travel 
in going to the block house, but I had no fear of 
them, as 1 supposed the most skeptical one had accepted 
— as the knife and fork and gravy game was not bit at. 
From the information 1 gained from the old man, it 
dawned on my mind that I had crossed the railroad 
track in my dazed ramble, so 1 made my way across the 
railroad at a point of safety. From daylight observa- 
tion, 1 knew the Yanks would keep well housed and they 
had no intimation of my routing, so I guess I was across 
the road and out some distance before they could give 
the alarm, if any. I trudged on that night, rather cir- 
cuitous, keeping about what I supposed eight miles out 
from Murfreesboro. I would chuckle to myself now and 
then about the good luck I was having leaving Chatta- 
nooga — six rations going to and on car by prison reck- 
oning, and the next day night, four meals, as reckoned 
by the old lady. I was very cautious that night and did 
not make any great distance, as I would avoid all roads 
and would not pass near a house, but I kept well the 
intended course if I did not have the moon or stars to 
guide me. The next morning about day I scanned the 
surroundings; saw they were good, and a house a few 
hundred yards off in a valley; the cedar ridge I was then 
on about half circled the place to the rear. I went down 
to the house, struck the back yard fence, and was near 
a lot. There was a fine lot of fat meat hogs in it. The 
place looked prosperous, and I could have bet and won 
that the owner was a Union man, and had not been for- 
aged out by the Y^anks. The ])ublic road was just in 
front of the house, but as the weather was yet rough, 
I had but little fear of Y^anks being out on the Inun that 
early. The man saw me; he looked to be fifty odd years 
old. He met me at the fence, apparently much excited. 
I had my little speech by heart, and it was: "There are 
three of us; the other two are on the hill (pointing the 



150 Capture and Escape. 

direction) and we are hungry, and want something to 
eat." This seemed to excite him more, and he said he 
had nothing. The dwelling had a hall through it, and 
in it I could see what I thought to be a safe or cupboard. 
My reply was: "You look to be in too good circum- 
stances to make me believe that; and I insist that you 
at once go and get food for three men. I do not wish to 
disturb your family, as I guess they are yet m bed, but 
food I will have, and that in short order. See that cup- 
board in the hall! I bet it has lots of goodies m it- 
move in a hurry. What do you say!" "I will go.' 
He soon returned with a good sized piece of corn bread 
and a boiled hock of a good sized ham. I thanked him 
and said: "We will stay up on that hill today, m the 
cedars (pointing the direction) and would ask that you 
do not mention us if the Yanks should come your way." 
He promised. I left, but did not hide out in the direc- 
tion pointed. I passed the day not a great way from the 
house, under a well spread cedar. I gathered up a lot 
of old field grass and bedded well against the cold, wet 
ground. When I was well tucked under my covering, 
head and all, I commenced eating. I was not long at the 
job, and went to sleep, sucking the bone. I guess I must 
have slept on my right side, without moving, as the bone 
was in my mouth when I woke up. I had often heard 
that snow would not quench thirst, but had never given 
it any credit— here I had all the opportunities to make 
a fair and extended test. When I awoke I was very 
thirsty, and when I raised the covering from my head, 
I saw I was well snowed under. I commenced eating 
snow, believing that it would quench thirst. I soon 
found it did not. How I wished for a tin cup to fill with 
snow and tuck it under the cover and see if it would 
melt; for I felt that I would chill soon after getting Irom 
under the snow and I was afraid to exercise for fear ot 
being seen. I laid under the cover until thirst was near 
torture, then I slipped out from under the blankets-- 
the snow had quit falling, but the wind was cold and 
brisk I soon found a sink where the snow had partly 



Captuhk and Escape 151 

melted and 1 drank all L wanted. Looked aronnd, saw 
I was safe, and got under the cover again. I soon found 
the warmth had about left my burrow. My body was 
chilled and my clothing in places was frozen, I laid 
there only a short while and thought if I did not get to 
exercising, I would freeze. The sun was supposed to 
be near setting. I hurriedly arose, shook the snow from 
the covering, got a string through the double and all 
was frozen stiff. I got it to about place on my back and 
pressed against a tree and got it to partly encircle the 
l3ody. I struck a trot to house, with the determina- 
tion to risk all danger. I stopped at the back yard fence 
where I had ))een in the morning. Darkness was now 
near. The man was in back yard and had seen me and 
was at the fence about the same time I was. I saw that 
he was exicted. 1 made up my mind to tell him a true 
story, thinking I would arouse his sympathy and he 
would render me some aid. 1 soon found sympathy and 
fear did not work together — the more I explained the 
more scared he became, and was standing, a treml)ling, 
speechless man. When I saw this, I had no idea of at- 
tempting to house up for the night with such a man ; and 
I knew his soul rejoiced, if he had one, when I turned to 
leave. I asked him several questions. He stood trem- 
bling and speechless. I finally asked if there were any 
Rebel sympathizers near. He raised his right arm and 
pointed to his right front. I asked "How far," and in 
a trembling tone, he said: "A mile." T turned and 
trotted the way I came. It was now nearly dark, and I 
did not have far to go, before 1 was out of sight and 
hearing. I turned in the direction pointed out, trotted 
through fields, climbed fences and was nearly to a house 
before I saw it. It was about three-fourths of a mile 
from my unsympathetic man. T went to the front door 
and knocked. There was no reply. Went around to the 
back of the house — was met near back door by a man 
and was invited in to the fire. I saw a short distance 
from the residence, before entering, kitchen with glow- 
ing fire burning and smelled the sweet odor of cooking 



152 (^APTURE AND EsCAPE. 

food. I entered a room which was sixteen or eighteen 
feet square, with large open fire place, with good fire 
burning. I stepped to the side of door and had gotten 
the frozen string untied that went around my neck to 
hold the blankets in place. The blankets were just slip- 
ping down to the floor — a woman entered with a plate 
of steaming food in her hands. She spoke and smiled. 
I stepped out of my standing blankets, for they were yet 
frozen and stood like a barrel on end. I was asked to 
have a seat at the fire. When the lady spoke and smiled 
the reaction was so great from a cold and heartless man 
to a sweet and sympathetic smile of a being of the high- 
est order, that I could not suppress a tear that I brushed 
off with a hand that had not felt soap and water for 
weeks. I felt at perfect ease, as I knew I w^as with 
friends. I took a seat at the fire — did not feel much 
discomfort from the cold, but had the shakes or rigors. 
I could not talk without my teeth chattering. There was 
soon a table well spread near the fire, with hot, steam- 
ing food and a pot of hot coffee. I was told it was hog- 
killing day, and I asked for no further proof, after see- 
ing the nice steaming dishes on the table. The little 
woman sure got a move on, and I thought: you are too 
well fed to be hungry, but I guess it is I you are after. 
We were soon at table, but up to this day, I can not 
tell whether I was hoggish or not. I remember that I 
had two cups of strong hot coffee — something T had not 
tasted for some time. Supper over, I faced the fire; still 
kept up my shaking, and 1 suppose the man knew more 
about such things than I did, for he remarked he thought 
I would have w^armed up after eating a hearty warm 
supper. By this time the table was cleared and the lit- 
tle woman was by the fire, hearing what was said. The 
man said he had some good brandy and would liked to 
have given me a drink at first, but they were continual- 
ly being hounded by detectives and they were abused and 
robbed if they were reported as aiding in any way the 
Southern cause (the idea flashed through my mind, how 
cruel in one's country) but he w^ould risk it, and would 



C'aptuhk and Escape. 15.3 

do it if he kuew 1 was a detective, for it would he an act 
of relieving suffering humanity; as there was nothing 
deceptive in my sliake, so "Let you he detective or rebel, 
yon shall have a drink." The woman spoke encourag- 
ingly, and said T was all right, as she had been tried 
enough and was hard to fool. The thougiit occurred to 
me: How different are nature's laws — no two beings 
alike — here courage and symi)athy to the extreme, with 
poverty and beggary as imnishment, if detected; at the 
place I just left, cowardice to a degree of suffering and 
void of sympathy for human kind. I thought that each 
was acting most suited to their natural make-up. There 
was soon a good sized tumbler or drinking glass m hand 
half filled. I asked: "Is this not too much: I am not 
used to drink." The reply was, "No." 1 swallowed it 
down. Jn about fifteen minutes the man said: "You 
are, by odds, the worst chilled subject I ever saw, and 
asked if I felt any effects of the drink." I replied, 
"No." He said he knew enough would stop it, and soon 
had equally as much down me. This made the amount 
a large glass full. In the course of a few minutes the 
chill was off. He asked several times if I felt any ill 
effects of the brandy, and I replied, "No," and that my 
head did not even feel light or swim. I had not talked 
much up to this time, but the brandy at least loosened my 
tongue. I found they were somewhat acquainted with 
Terry's Rangers, as they had been in that section and 
they knew a few of the members personally. I told them 
of my capture, escape, etc., and of my exj^erience with 
the scared man. Was told he was of my name. I said: 
"I have relatives in Tennessee by both father and 
mother, but I am not hunting up relatives ; and I guess 
it was my good luck that I did not get in with that fel- 
low, for he would have had the pleasure of turning me 
over to the Yanks, for correction, a son of Thomas 
Fletcher, his elder brother." Prom what I heard father 
say, and the direction and distance from ]\hirfreesboro, 
and given name, he was my uncle. I told father of the 
circumstance, after returning home, and he said that he 



154 Capture and Escape. 

was my uncle. I said I was glad I knew nothing of my 
kinfolks and asked father if they were all Union stock; 
but he had not been advised. I sent my compliments to 
uncle a few years since, by a Mr. Sanders who lived 
near Murfreesboro and was visiting his children at 
Beaumont, Texas. I requested that he cite the incident 
and tell the old man all was of the past, and if he 
ever came my way, to at least stop and shake. 

It was now near 10 P. M., and lodging was mentioned. 
I was asked not to stop for the night or next day, as 
they could not safely stow me away — as they had a 
negro girl in the kitchen, and the Yankees got their in- 
formation from the negroes. After they had explained 
conditions, I said: "If you will give me directions to 
a more friendly neighborhood, I will be there by day, if 
trotting will get me there." He said there was such a 
place twelve miles out but that there were so many lanes 
and turns in the road that he was fearful I could not 
make edge of it, to a doctor's — giving his name — during 
the night. I said : "I can, if you will slowly give direc- 
tions and the nature of the country." He started at the 
front gate and was very minute in instructions. When 
he got through, he said: "Do you think you under- 
stand?" I replied: "Yes, but would like you to re- 
peat." He went over the same route again in the same 
tone and nearly the same words. I said: "Your first 
was impressed in every particular." I arranged my 
blankets as a cloak and was ready to start. He said: 
"Take another drink of brandy; you will need it, for 
it is now clear and cold." I did so. It was now about 
eleven o'clock. After clearing the front gate, I struck 
a trot — sometimes fast, and at no time walking, unless 
wading a stream as there was none to be crossed over 
knee deep at the road, but there were foot crossings at 
each near road. These I did not use. The road seemed 
to be as plain and familiar as though I had traveled it 
for years — the farm houses near by lanes, woods, hills 
and streams — were all there and looked for, before 
reachina: them. Next to my last turn was to be in one 



Capture and Escape. 155 

of Miirfreesboi-o's main i)iil)lic roads, with residenoe and 
other houses a))ont two or three hundred yards on the 
hill on the opposite side, that I could see in the twi- 
light. When I landed in this road, all was familiar, but 
from some cause inexplainable, I turned to the right. 
I trotted, and when I was about the distance of the turn- 
out, I commenced looking and increased my speed. I 
was soon at a bridge that spanned quite a stream. It 
now dawned on me that I turned to the right, when I 
should have turned to the left. I wheeled and struck 
a sweeping trot. Day was approaching. I had about 
retraced half my steps when the sole of one of my boots 
became loose from toe to heel. I tore a strip off of my 
blanket and hurriedly tied it to place. This soon worked 
loose; I tied it again and fastened the ends around my 
ankle; then it worked back to the instep, and from the 
noise it would make on the macadamized road, a clog 
dancer would have thought he was not in the kerflop 
class. It was a cold clear morning. I did not think any 
of the surrounding natives were awake, and I wanted 
them to sleep on until I found hiding. I cut the sole off 
near the heel and started with the inner sole under foot. 
It was soon loose from the uppers and I had always 
thought the boots were too large ; but I guess I was mis- 
taken, for the inner sole was not large enough to keep 
the side of my foot off the cold, hard ground. After the 
sole had turned back a few times and let the ])all of my 
foot on the ground, I tore another stri]) an took a few 
turns around my foot and sole by pulling back the upper. 
This was an improvement an I trotted on. Day was now 
well on me and I was at the place of mistake — the house 
just out from the road, and all looked o])en and public. 
I trotted a few hundred yards beyond the house and 
turned to the right and climbed a pasture fence; went 
about three hundred yards from the road to a rocky hill- 
side. I was four or five hundred yards from the house; 
found a crevice in a rock, about twenty or thirty feet 
long, three or four feet deep; looked around and did 
not think I had been seen. Jumped into the crevice, 



156 Capture and' Escape. 

kicked some of the ice and snow away with my p^ood 
boot; and soon was lying down rolled np in my blankets, 
with boots off, tncked in with my liody to keep them from 
freezing. I was comfortal)ly warm, when I laid down 
and was asleep almost instantly. I awoke when the sun 
was about an hour high and it was in the right place, 
though I had not seen it for days. I was cold; very cold. 
I realized that I was nearly frozen; will said ''move," 
but my right arm was the only member that obeyed, and 
that feebly; all others were stiff. Hope and determina- 
tion, I guess, aroused and went into action instantly. 
My arm would give a little at every effort and they 
were made at quick time. I was not long in getting the 
right arm to bend enough to thrust it forward as one 
hitting with a fist. Speed increased and thrusts harder, 
and in a short time I had a well limbered right, from 
shoulder to tips of my finger. T gave a nush from the 
side of the rock and changed my body. I punched and 
slapped until the next that moved was my right leg. T 
soon gave, at hip and knee joint; T got it so I could catch 
it by the ankle. T strained and twisted — the left side 
soon let up so T could set up; all parts were soon lim- 
bered. T got up, but soon sat down, as I was too much 
exposed. T soon had on my boot and soles, one tied up, 
but while T was doing this I kept in all manner of squirm- 
ing motions and taking deep and quick breaths. I 
mashed my bedding ud so I could carry it and was out 
of the crevice, taking chances of better quarters. T made 
off at the best speed my legs would carrv me, and soon 
had them limbered up: was soon out of the pasture and 
making for a cedar thicket T saw ahead. T was soon 
in and about one-half mile from the crevice; saw an 
open place about fifty yards long. Dropped mv blanket 
and trotted, ran and walked the balance of the day in 
what was soon a well worn path, and T have often 
thought if that fifty vards of well worn path was not 
one of the wonders of that neisrhborhood. The ground 
was not rocky and did not pack hard, and T gave it a 
trial of speed in all gaits a number of times. During the 



Captukk and Escaim:. 157 

day, with the sunshine and tlie l)i('('ze. my hlankets dried 
and linil)ered up ready for use. I was now in soniethinsj^ 
less than a mile of the doctor's — that T had started for 
the night befoi'e — so. in due time I called, spent a very 
pleasant evening, had a nice, warm su])])er and got fairly 
well posted. He advised that 1 go on a short distance 
and I would find a pen partly filled with seed cotton. 
I did so. When T got in the cotton jteii. 1 felt at home 
and my mind was carried back to my early boyhood 
days, so I was not at a loss of knowing how to proceed. 
I soon had a hole scratched out and with feet and most 
of my body well covered, with blankets over my shoul- 
ders, I only had a minute of sweet anticipation of com- 
fort, before I was asleep. 1 was awakened the next 
morning after sun-u]) by several large fat hogs that 
were making a noise of recognition of their owner's 
presence to feed them. I felt so comfortable that I 
hated to get u|) ; but the thought of a good hot breakfast 
soon had me out. 1 thanked the owner for the night's 
accommodation; was asked to l)reakfast; found he had 
a large family, chiefly of girls, but all seemed neat and 
well kei)t. After eating a hearty breakfast, he said 1 
had best move on and he would accompany me to near a 
house some distance off and then T could lay in the 
woods until night, then go up — the man was a shoe- 
maker, and he thought he would make me a pair of shoes. 
I laid around in sight of the house until dark, and went 
u]); found man, wife, and child. 1 was well received 
and treated. Tt seenied that the cuslom of the country 
was to su]i])er after dark. This ujnc them an all day's 
work. This had l)een once a well to do country and all 
seemed to be industrious and not dependent on the 
negro slave. Their best horses were all gone and nearly 
all of their cow stock, and there was a great absence of 
milk and butter. The most of the inhabitants had a few 
fowl and hogs, and they seemed to know how to get good 
results. The man and I were sitting by the fire talking, 
and the wife was busy with her sui)per, when in ste]iped 
an evening caller — he was a doctor, ])ast middle age. 



158 Capture and Escape. 

rather portly and jovial; rather inquisitive and pointed 
in his questions for a new acquaintance, and I used my 
tact to evade answers, and put up a nice little story to 
shield ray identity. The proprietor finally burst out in 
a laugh and said: "Doc, you have found your match," 
and "Fletcher, you need have no fear, for he is one of 
us." All seeraed to enjoy the turn of affairs, ajid I said 
"Doc, a man in my business should be well versed in 
lying, and use it without blushing when conditions de- 
mand." We were soon acquainted and the old doctor 
was very companionable; and I learned he and his two 
daughters were residents of Murfreesboro, but had taken 
to the country on account of abuses, mostly by Yankee 
restrictions. Supper was announced and as the doctor 
had eaten, he did not go in. We had a bountiful supply 
and I thought the lady was as good a guesser as the one 
I had met two evenings before, or my natural appear- 
ance showed hunger. After supper we returned to the 
sitting room and it was evident that the doctor had not 
been idle; he lived near by and had been home and had 
returned with his two daughters — the younger was bud- 
ding into womanhood and the other was a few years 
older. When I received an introduction I did not hang 
my head and blush on account of my unkempt appear- 
ance — in fact, I guess at the time that I made no note 
of it, as I was well trained to not allow clothing to be a 
bar to evening callers. The only article of necessity that 
I thought 1 needed was shoes and the landlord and I were 
understood on that point, as he had the material and 
was going to devote the next day and part of the night, 
if necessary, to make me a ]3air, and possibly after tak- 
ing measurements, he had a pair under construction. I 
told him that anything would fit my foot that was large 
enough. The young ladies showed good common sense 
and were free to talk and did not seem to be inspect- 
ing me closely to get up a giggle; nor did they speak 
words of sympathy. They acted the true definition 
of friendship, which is: "He who comes in when 
the world goes out." After they had well looked me over 



CAPTrRK AND KsCAI'K. 159 

they made their mission known which was to get me, as 
they said, much needed clotlies. The older one knew of 
a good coat a few miles off that she would ride out and 
get the next day; the younger made several suggestions 
of places of probable finds. I said: ''Anything- will fit 
that is large enough." They laughed, and said the 
man of the house (calling his name) was safe as he was 
too small and would not 1 look funny in papa's clothes? 
They had mentioned over all the different items that I 
needed, including underclothes. When they got through 
I expressed my ai)preciation and said, "You can leave 
off underclothes and socks, as that is asking too much." 
They soon gave me to understand that they had my or- 
der booked. The mistress was seated with a three year 
old on her lap. Our talk now was in a general way, and 
about ten o'clock the doctor said: "Girls, it is time to 
go, as you and the shoemaker will have a busy time to- 
morrow." It was understood that I was to pass the 
coming day on a nearby hill that was well grown up with 
brush and 1 would have my dinner sent from the doc- 
tor's. I said that they need not trouble about dinner, as 
two meals were more than I had been accustomed to for 
a long time. Tn parting the young ladies said: "You 
will see what we can do by tomorrow night," and went 
off chatting, as though they were to i)erform the most 
pleasant duty of their lives. It was bed-time at our 
house also. I was taken into a side room — tliere was a 
nice clean bed that looked tempting, but the thought of 
my filthy person made me demur, and I said: "My 
blankets and the kitchen floor are good enough for me 
and better than I have been used to." The woman must 
have heard what T said — was soon on the scene and insist- 
ed; and said she did her own washing and ironing; and 
she would rather bed and cook for any number of dirty 
Rebs than the cleanest Yank in the world. 1 acce])ted 
and was soon aslee]); had early bi-eakfast and was soon 
in hiding. Saw no Yankees that day. About noon T was 
on watch for dinner — T saw the younger girl coming; 
she seemed to be well onto her job, as she scanned, every 



160 Capture and Escapf, 

short distance, the surroundings. At the opportune 
time I stepped out into opening and was observed. I 
had a nice dinner and it was so plentiful that I easily 
left some. She said they had breakfast early and got 
sister off, and that she had returned, and named items 
procured ; and the nice warm coat was one ; and said 
that by night they would have me rigged out. Said her 
sister was doing the most of it, and papa and she were 
running the house. I asked her if she cooked dinner, 
and she replied, "Yes. Sister and I take it turn about, 
and do all the housework and sewing." I spoke ap- 
provingly of such true worth. After the meal she said 
she had enjoyed my company and would like to stay 
longer; but prudence demanded her presence at home 
as the Yanks might show uj) at any time, and \m]m and 
the Yanks did not get along well together. I remained 
in hiding until late in the evening, when one of my an- 
gels of mercy made her second visit with a message from 
papa, and that was, to come to the house as it was now 
so late that the Yanks would not be out that far, as 
they did not prowl out of their picket lines at night. 
I was met at the house by the doctor. He told me to go 
up stairs, and there I would find water, soap, and 
clothes. I did as bid, found the tub partly full of warm 
water — saw the clothes near by. T took a thorough 
scrubbing, head as well. When I got through, the water 
showed that most of the long worn dirt was off and my 
body com])anions, I guess, thought their time had come 
when I returned not to my cast off clothes. Before I 
got through dressing I thought there was quite a lot of 
life's valuable time lost in civil life in dressing once a 
day; and that the soldier had the one advantage at least 
of putting on and wearing off. My clothing consisted 
of full outfit. When I had gotten them on and hair 
combed, I felt "dudish," and when I smiled before a 
glass, I had the vain thought of "How handsome." I 
"primped," as the girls call it, before the glass quite 
a time and thought, as T think the most of them do, 
"Here goes to make a mash." 



Capture and Escape. 161 

When I went down stairs the old doetor was near at 
hand, and as soon as he sighted me, lauglied heartily, 
called the girls and they all made merry over my im- 
proved appearance. The doctor vouched for me being 
the same man who went up the stairs, as there was no 
chance of escape, as he had been near, all the time, to 
answer my call, if any — and he did not see how clothing 
could make such a change in a])i)earance. T was well en- 
tertained that evening and did not demur at sight of a 
clean bed; had breakfast early the next morning. Be- 
fore leavng, I asked that they deliver thanks to the shoe- 
maker and wife for their kind treatment and the nice 
pair of shoes. I thanked the doctor and the young ladies 
profusely, and asked the doctor to keep up his good cheer 
if he was away from home. I struck across the country 
toward Franklin, hunting a man who was reported as 
once belonging to the Rangers, but had not left Ten- 
nessee with them. I inquired, as I went along, for him 
and soon got an appointment. I found from the differ- 
ent incpiiries that Captain Van Houghten, as he was 
called, was a very im})ortant man to a large section of 
the countrv; and was a terror to evil doers. I had, up 
to this time, frowned on his mode of warfare and keep- 
ing law and order, thinking it would do more harm than 
good; but from observation and inquiry, the good ef- 
fects over balanced the bad and should be more gen- 
eral in a country that is being invaded, for the oppor- 
tunities are such that each army is well sup]ilied with 
thieves and robbers, and some of them are enlisted; but 
of no service — plunder is their aim. Some are not en- 
listed, and rise up as if out of the ground, and uniform 
and at will pilfer their neighbors and it is almost in- 
variably laid to the invaders, where in fact, outside of 
their well guarded confines they go in squads under an 
officer and take only as needed or instructed; and if it 
were not for such men as "Van" and a few scattered 
followers, the outlying districts would suffer more than 
they did ; for they were the nuich dreaded of the wrong 
doer or criminal class, let them be from either side. I 



162 Capture and Escape. 

soon met Captain "Van" and fonnd liini to be a nice, 
courteous g-entleman and not at his vocation for gain. 
He agreed to mount and arm me, but the horse was some 
distance off. At the appointed place and time I received 
a horse and equipment The horse was only a loan, 
however, as he only had two and he often needed a 
change. But as our army was near, his territory would 
be more confined. I did not have to wait many days bo 
fore I was in the saddle. During the time of the wait. 
I had supper at a house with some of Hood's advance. 
There was a fine looking young lady visitor who enter- 
tained the crowd while waiting for supper, on the piano. 
I did not go out to the first table, but remained in the 
parlor with two others. She asked our names and where 
we were from. When she heard my name and where 
from, she tried to rake u]) kinship for herself and the 
lady of the house. From what she said of Tennessee 
relatives and knowing that there were some of the sam^ 
family in Texas, I thought we were second cousins, but 
at once thought of my scared uncle, and kept nuun. 
Father claimed to be of Scotch-Irish descent, and this 
young lady showed Scotch-Trish blood. I guessed w^ 
were kin, but T had enough of the Fletcher stock at that 
time, and played ignorant. 

It was about thirty-six hours after this that the bil- 
tle of Franklin was fought. I was a few miles to th^ 
rear of the enemy's line, by my idea of location, from 
sound. The discharge of small arms was very distinct. 
I was lying near the house where I had yiassed the 
night and was to return for food and bedding the .-om- 
ing night. My place of hiding was a favorable one. It 
was a deep hollow, well, grown up in bushes. I stayed 
close, as it was near a public road. The battle roared, 
and I knew that this was one battle that I would hear 
and not participate in. The whole day's fight, from my 
distant position, seemed to be stubborn, as neither side 
seemed to give. Along in the latter ]mrt of the evening 
the rabbits commenced ])assing me, and were passing 
when I left. There were hundreds of them that had 



( * APT IT H K A X I ) KhCA V E. 163 

drifted to tliat liollow and were going- from the bat- 
tle noises. I stayed at the house that night and found 
that there had t)een a regiment of Yankee cavalry- 
camped near my hiding out place that night, which was 
less than oiie-fourth of a mile away. The next morn- 
ing I received the horse. "Van" said he was trying 
to gather a company of young men and boys, and to go 
out with them, and wanted me to help him. This I 
promised to do. After receiving the horse and arms, 1 
felt more comfortable and rode over the country con- 
siderably. I did not know what the army was doing, af- 
ter the battle of Franklin, for after getting the mount, 
I kept out of harm's way, waiting "Van's" call; but I 
surely enjoyed the outing. One day near noon 1 was 
sitting on the gallery at the doctor's talking to the 
young ladies, and about half a mile to our front on a 
ridge, there put in an appearance a wagon train, and 
the way it was headed cast a gloom over my thoughts. 
The young ladies were very much exercised and were 
fearful it was leaving the country and that they again 
would be with the horrid Yankees. I thought their sur- 
mise was correct, but did not express myself, and tried 
to dissueade, for I could see dei)icted in their counte- 
nances the anticipated dread. I mentioned the i)ossibili- 
ty of the train being out on a foraging ex|)edition, but 
T could see this did not quiet their fears. The old doctor 
was not at home, but I wished he were, for some hard 
words from him of abuse of the Yankees would have 
been a relief to me, as it would have been more suited 
to my nature and would have aroused hatred, but as it 
was, sympathy predominated. I cut my visit short and 
was on horse, riding off, thinking: "How noble is 
one, to love his country; how sad the fate to mingle with 
those you hate. ' ' 

In the course of time V^an Houghton informed me he 
had men gathered and he was ready for me. He said 
he had reported and was ordered to kee]) in the rear and 
flank, and to follow the army on retreat. We did this— 
sighted only a few of the enemy on the way out and had 



164 Capture and Escape, 

but little to do. The greatest trouble was something for 
man and horse to eat, and we seemed to have no con- 
nection with the supply train. Therefore, drew nothing. 
I was so hungry one morning when I struck where the 
infantry had camped for the night, I got down and threw 
some smoldering chunks together and had a fire started 
and threw on such bones and cows ' heads as were handy 
to roast. The boys* who had camped there had roasted 
the most of the bones once, but were not onto their job 
as well as one who had served a time in a Yankee prison ; 
so I scraped and sucked hot bones until I appeased my 
hunger, and after that I had better luck in foraging. 
The Yanks were rather closely following our squad. 
One day, w^hen we were at a stream, about one hundred 
feet wide and swimming — it seemed to be swollen by rain 
as it had the appearance of a ford — we saw a small boat 
at a landing. The recruits seemed to be exicted and 
would not take to the water. I proposed to Van that he 
make a show and keep the Yanks back with two or three 
men, and I would get the boys across. He agreed. I 
ordered the boys to dismount and shove their horses in, 
when I swam my horse. I unsaddled and stripped, and 
sent a man over with my outfit in the small boat. The 
men were to cross in small boats after the horses were 
across. I rode in and slipped off my horse and swam it 
across ; the most of the horses were pushed in but would 
not follow, so I returned and mounted another. All fol- 
lowed this time and the men were soon across. All was 
safe if we got away from the landing, over the hill. I 
hurriedly saddled and mounted, with my clothing in my 
arms and before me — the bullets by this time were com- 
ing near. There was a residence just on the top of the 
hill near the road, but I })aid no heed to the lookers on 
and was too cold to blush. I dismounted at a safe dis- 
tance with the rear guard out, and dressed. The water 
and wind were cold, and I guess would have been hard 
on a fellow unaccustomed to liardshi])s. On this retreat 
I thought of Napoleon's disastrous retreat with bare and 
bleeding feet — here it was to be seen, now and then. 



Capture and Escape. 165 

After crossing Tennessee River, I rested with the 
army two or three days and tlioiight from what 1 could 
catch from "Van's" talk, that when he had his men as- 
signed to some command, he woukl return; so I proposed 
to return him his horse, which 1 afterwards wished I 
had not done. I saddled up a mule one night, while not 
seen, and rode off. It was very cold and when I started 
1 thought 1 would suffer, but such was not the case, as 
1 had plenty of exercise to keep ^varm in getting the 
mule to go. I rode nearly all the next day, but stopped 
for the night. There was a man and wife at the house. 
They seemed well supplied with food for man and beast 
but the man was afraid he would not get any pay, and 
w^ould, every little while, speak of being "eat out by sol- 
diers." This I did not believe, as he had plenty and I 
saw that both I and my horse got plenty. He looked 
young and able enough to have been in service, but he 
was in such a hide-out |)lace I guess the conscript of- 
ficer could not find him, and as I had just passed a dis- 
tillery in the hills, I guessed he was on the hide-out or- 
der — at least, after the war. He went over his liberality 
story again, while his wife was cooking breakfast and 
said he was done feeding without pay. I encour- 
aged him in his determination, and told him he should 
have stopped it long ago ; in fact, if the settlers had not 
started it, there would have been less stragglers, as the 
boys had plenty to eat in camp. But I never intimated 
that I was penniless; so he and his w^ife cheered up, he 
especially. After breakfast I saddled up and hitched at 
the front gate and went in, bade the lady good-bye and 
thanked her. In coming out, I passed the man standing 
at the fire place, gave him a hearty shake and thanked 
him. I was the only one who seemed to have the ])ower 
of speech or motion in the house. I mounted and rode 
off in a path that was straight for two or more hundred 
yards. The man was motionless every time I turned 
my head and looked back. I enjoj'ed the scene and 
had a hearty laugh, and have often wondered what were 
his first words. 



166 Capture and Escape. 

I traveled about twenty miles that day, in a rough 
country and took up at a small but well kept farm. The 
family consisted of man and wife, son and daughter. 
There was i)lenty of corn in the crib and the table was 
well supplied with corn bread, bacon and sour kraut; 
and I and my mule had a good appetite. I soon found 
the man was a trader and he made a proposition and I 
accepted it, but did not carry out my part in all par- 
ticulars. He said he needed a farm mule and I needed 
a saddle horse, and said he had studied up a plan for 
each to get what he needed. I told him to out with his 
plan, as I was ready to mount at the first opportuni- 
ty; that I had a long ride before me to reach my com- 
mand, and possibly would have some trouble to get 
around Sherman's army, as I supposed the Rebs were 
still at the front. His plan was for me to steal his 
neighbor's three year old stallion — from his description, 
the colt was a bute, but too young for hard usage; al- 
though I kept mum on that point. His plan was, that 
when night came, lie would go with me to near the place, 
which was one an one-half miles off. I was to ride the 
mule near to the house and unsaddle, then get horse out 
of the stable, saddle up and ride off that night. I told 
him I would study the matter over and let him know 
the next day; that I was too near worn out to travel 
at night unless I was forced to. He consented and said 
I could stay as long as I wanted if he could get the mule' 
— I had already told him that I had no money. The 
next morning I told him it was all right, — with some 
changes. I was to remain three days and two nights 
longer and he was to keep the mule in the barn out of 
sight, so none of tlie neighbors in passing would see him, 
as they might recognize the mule after I had gone and 
he would at least be suspicioned of being a party to the 
colt's disappearance; and further, I would ride the mule 
to the place and when I got the horse 1 would return with 
the mule. He readil}^ agreed to this. 1 and the mule 
had been fairly well treated up to this time, but the bal- 
ance of my stay was made much more ])leasant; the 



(^\i"i'iiRK AND Kscapp:. 167 

young lady was more talkative and pleasant, and "bud" 
did not hang- around when the young lady and I were 
wishing the war was over. The old man kei)t the mule 
well housed and said he was currying him night and 
morning and soon would have a different looking animal 
of him. Time now passed rapidly and I wished I had 
set it twenty-four hours longer, for 1 had struck a bon- 
anza — plenty to eat, comfortable bed and chairs, boy to 
make fires and man to feed and curry the mule, and a 
pleasant, quiet, good-looking woman for mother-in-law — 
if the girl said so after the war was over and I passed 
that way. I guess the old man would have readily 
agreed as he and I agreed so well, T would have been a 
handy fellow to have in the family. The time ai-rived — 
had early sui)per; my hostler had the mule curried and 
saddled and at the front gate. It was now dark and we 
had no fear of being seen, as there had not been a person 
passed that way during my stay. I was to get the horse 
and return and hitch the mule at the front gate, during 
the night. The old man gave me another recital of the 
roads and directions. I got a pleasant farewell, with 
many wishes of safety during the balance of the war, 
and to be sure and come by that way on my return to 
Texas. My last words were: "I am going to try to 
make quick work of this job and you keep a watch for 
mule." His reply was: "Nobody will see him hitched 
to the gate when daylight conies." I knew he was right 
in his prophecy. As I rode off, the thought came to 
my mind : who was the bigger liar and thief of the two — 
the one who received kind treatment and attention decep- 
tively, or the one who planned to have his closest neigh- 
bor's only horse stolen? I passed nea^r the house of the 
colt owner, as it was on my road in the proper direction. 
I w^ent about eight miles that night and stopped at a 
house; traded the mule the next morning for a very good 
old saddle horse that I rode through to my command. I 
have often wondered if my man sat uj) all night or ever 
saw the nnile afterwards; or did he ever learn that steal- 



168 Capture and Escape. 

ing was bad at best, and was it not a greater sin for two 
to steal than one. 

I somewhat justified my act by the thought that lie 
had contributed something to the support of the army, 
as he w^as well able to shoulder his gun and his family 
were such that they could make a comfortable living 
without his aid; so, if a straggling soldier did not tax 
him now and then, he would have been a useless citizen ; 
and I guessed the assessor had not found him, and if he 
had, the little he would have gotten would not have been 
worth the ride. 

On my way to my command I passed across the coun- 
try that Sherman and Johnston went over on "Sherman's 
advance to Atlanta, Georgia. The fencing had mostly 
been burned and some of the houses abandoned. I struck 
their line of devastation, so I could ride across it in one 
day, as I expected nothing for man or beast. While the 
whole day was not occupied in the line of contention of 
the two armies, the nearby country was closely foraged. 
I was told before entering that all I would see was women 
and children and a few old or crippled men ; and that the 
mothers were walking long distances to get food for their 
children ; which they brought in on sled drawn by two or 
three year old beef, which they butchered. I was also 
told that the continuous noise of the contending armies 
had driven all winged creatures from the country. Hear- 
ing the reports caused me to notice particularly, and 
in my hard days' ride I found things about as stated, 
for destitution was on every hand and to an extent one 
cannot well conceive, unless seen. But such is war, and 
yet at this stage of civilization and short period of 
emerging from the war, you will still hear men talk of 
war as though it were but a matter of killing off a few 
men an the satisfying of a few others by pension. They 
seem to have no thought of the suffering many, and I 
have learned that those who agitate war are mere trum- 
pets and not fighters. 

I got with my connnand in the C^arolinas and they were 
still battling with the enemy and slowlj giving to their 



CaPTItrE and FiSCAT^E. 169 

pressure, but from what I could see we made no i>-reat 
resistance. My horse was not fit for duty w^hen 1 reached 
the company and I and one other member of "Pj" o))- 
tained a ])ermit to press horses. We started out and 
had some trou))le in findini»' a mount, as the country had 
been well searched. On this trip we i-odc u)) to a fine 
residence, situated on an elevated i)oint with a farm on 
three sides. The dwelling was a magnificent two-story 
structure and T thought at the time, it was the most 
beautiful residence property I had ever seen. We were 
met at the gate by an old man who said he was the owner 
of the farm. We told him our business. He said all of 
his best horses had been taken, but pointed to the edge 
of a field about one-fourtli of a mile away and said if 
w^e would enter the woods at that point we would find 
several horses about one hundred and fifty yards in, 
in charge of an old negro man; said he had them hid there 
hoping that the Yankees would not find them, but that 
they were all old stock and only fit for farm use; but if 
we found any that suited, to take them, leaving ours in- 
stead. We went as directed and found the horses as 
represented. They 'showed good keeping and were at 
one time a fine lot of large horses. We saw nothing that 
we w^anted and started to retrace our steps to the oi)en- 
ing when we heard the firing of guns at or near the 
house. When we rode into the opening, we saw the 
house enveloped in smoke. We stood and looked on in 
awe but a few moments when the flames burst forth. 
My feelings I cannot describe at seeing the destruction 
of that l)eautiful house of an old and once wealthy fam- 
ily. I saw a rider coming our way and when he came 
up, he said there were four or five dead Yankees in the 
yard; that a scpiad of Kebs had ridden up on them when 
in the house, plundering and firing the same; that they 
were trying to force from the three women the where- 
abouts of their valuables. When they saw the Rebs, 
they ran for their horses which wei-e hitched to the fence, 
and w^ere all shot down. Our infoiinant said the old 
man of the place was so enraged that he took a butcher 



170 Capture and Escape, 

knife and cut each man's throat. In a few days after, T 
understand there were two meetings under a flag of 
truce, directed by the enemy's cavalry commander 
and the Confederate cavalry commander. Reports 
said that the Yanks were much wrought up over 
finding their men with their throats cut and threat- 
ened retaliation at the first truce. General Wheeler 
investigated and reported the finding at the second 
truce; and stated that after the Yankee general 
had received and read his report, if he carried out his 
threat — that he held a far greater number of prisoners 
than he did, and that two for one would be shot, if retal- 
iation was resorted to. I suppose the matter was 
dropped, as I heard nothing more of it, the second day 
out. Pard and I found a fairly good horse for each and 
returned to our command. We found the country well 
stocked with roving bands of both armies. I heard of 
one instance of dare-devil bravery which, if true, was 
nerve of the highest order. It was reported that one of 
the Rebs captured quite a squad of Yankee cavalrymen 
by secreting himself and when the front of the squad 
was opposite, he stepped out and commanded surrender 
or he, with leveled gun, would shoot commanding of- 
ficer. It was said that the whole party shed their arms 
and stepped off at his command. I often thought if 
this game could be worked on well armed soldiers, the 
fellow who has robbed a stage coach or railroad car, in 
comparison, had not done much. 

One of the most interesting sights to be seen in the 
campaigning of the Carolinas was the firing of the 
great mounds of rosin that were made from distilling of 
turpentine. The firing was said to have been done by 
the Yankees, and I guess to a great extent, true ; but the 
old saying, "Give a dog a bad name, and you may as 
well kill him," was brought to mind, when I had to ride 
some distance above the road crossing to ford a lively 
stream that was covered some distance with burning- 
pitch. I was alone, and was satisfied there was not a 
Yank in five miles when the mound was fired. One 



Capture and Escape. 171 

would often see the smoke of several of these fires in a 
day The heat was so intense at the base that there 
would be a column of smoke nearly perpendicular, hun- 
dreds of feet high, where it was calm. When it struck 
an upper current of air, it would float with the breeze 
and would remind one of a g-reat serpent crawlini?; and 
It could be seen miles away, and often more than one 
would be m sight. I had read of cities being plundered 
or sacked, and I had a desire to see it done, if one was 
ever so unfortunate, and I was near at hand. Columbia 
South (Carolina, was the unfortunate. The last day of 
the Confederate forces' evacuation, I was with a detail 
of about seventy-five men who were in the citv to get 
clothing and such like for the command. We found but 
little, if any, but at one business house at which we were 
halted, the proprietor reported a lot of bottled imported 
gm that he would rather see us take than the Yankees. 
Some of the boys took two bottles, some one, and a smali 
per centage touched not. I was one of the two-bottle 
crowd, and when we rode out of the citv, I had a well 
filled bottle in each saddle pocket. The detail went a 
short distance out of the city and were thrown in line 
fronting the river near a bridge. I think we were just 
above the city. We remained in this position, sitting on 
our horses for some time. The bridge was of good 
length and enclosed on the sides. We had a few men on 
the opposite side of the stream and there were some gun 
reports heard every short while; and thev gradually 
came closer, and now and then a bullet would whiz near 
us. Soon a few scattering cavalrymen would cross the 
bridge, coming to our side— the bridge seemed to be well 
prepared for firing, for without any thought on our ]iart, 
te structure burst forth in smoke before the last men at 
horses' speed passed through. There were two who 
came onto the bridge together, and there was fear of 
their not getting across; but it was reported thev did, 
although they were well scorched. The last and' most 
gritty of the boys who was near the enemv's front was 
either burned or checked. Just as he came' to the bridge 



172 Capture and Escape. 

the smoke was so dense from our position we could not 
tell. It was reported that he perished. Our detail was 
then ahusing, to the fullest extent of words, the cowardly 
act of the bridge firers for applying- the torch so soon. 
While in the line, 1 thought 6f my gin and opened a bot- 
tle, and the most of the boys did the same. I was not 
used to drink, but wanted to test gin as a fear tonic; so 
I partook of the remedy freely, but the bullets would 
make about the same impression at each visitation, and 
when we were marched off, the most of one bottle was 
gone and the bullets sounded the same old way. There 
was a detail made up while we were moving to go back 
to the city, and see if it could get any forage for our 
horses. I was not put on this detail, and I said to one 
of the boys : ' ' Let 's go to the city tonight, and have 
some fun." He said: ''All right, if we can." I said: 
"Play drunk, and follow me." He did so. I did not feel 
in the least, any effects of my drinking, under excite- 
ment, but to all appearances, I was just able to §et on 
my horse and when the detail filed off, pard and I went 
with them. There was a protest from the officer, but 
we did not heed. When we struck the road that led to 
the city, there was a heavy guard to keep stragglers 
out, for they said the Yanks would take possession that 
night. The officer pointed out the two drunk men who 
did not belong to the detail, and the guard made an at- 
tempt to arrest us ; but T told them that our horses were 
hungry and that pard and T were going to feed them, if 
it was in town. The guard was infantry, and there was 
an officer present who seemed to have charge. They 
were now close up and around pard, and I with the detail 
passed through. T put my hand on my six-shooter and 
said: "We are Texas boys; clear the way." The officer 
said : ' ' T^et the damn drunken fools go. " So we were soon 
with the detail and got forage and remained in the city 
as long as we wanted; found a dozen or more cavalrymen 
on the same mission as ours, which was to take in the 
city, less that part where the enemy were shelling. They 
.seemed to have been put onto the whereabouts of am- 



Capture and Escape. 173 

mimition storage and they kept up a continuous thump 
at that point from their artillery— but it was said to have 
all been moved. Pard and J passed out where the guard 
was, about ten o'clock, but all were gone. We went 
about a mile further, rode off the road into the woods 
and camped; gave our horses a good feed and were 
up and riding back to the city early the next morning. 
When we arrived in the citj, all was quiet; but it did 
not stay that way long. I had heard no talk of sacking 
the city that morning, or evenin(>; before; the enemy had 
not crossed the river and taken possession. In our ram- 
bles we struck a man who asked if we could use some 
cotton or woolen cards, as he did not want them to fall 
into the hands of the Yankees. We accepted, as we knew 
something of their scarcity and value, so he gave each 
of us two pair of cotton cards — one of my cards proved 
to be wool, after it was too late to correct. By this time 
there were about the same number of rebel stragglers 
that there were the evening before. From what I could 
see, however, they were all good men, out of place, how- 
ever, as the last one of us should have been with our 
command. There were groups of the under grade of 
whites and some negroes gathering in the business cen- 
ter of the city. We had concluded to go out and I guess 
the most of the other stragglers were of the same mind 
for it was time for the Yanks to have laid their pon- 
toons and commenced crossing. Just as i)ard and T 
had gotten through the princi])al part of the mob, on 
our way out, we heard a crash and a great confusion of 
voices behind. When we looked, we saw all rushing 
for the point of the noise. We turned and did likewise, 
and as far as I could see, the balance of the straggling 
Rebs did the same. We found that a front door of one 
of the fine dry goods houses had l)een forced and the 
mob crowding in, so one after another front was burst 
in. Some one of the straggling Rebs crowded his horse 
onto the side walk and fired a few shots over the head 
of the surging mob inside and hollowed get out. From 
this, the mobs in other stores were shot over and it was 



174 Capture and Escape. 

surely amusing. Men and women were packed and grab- 
bing — some had large packages on their shoulders ; but 
when a shot was fired, all dropped their goods, turned 
and made a rush for the door; and from the way they 
jammed and piled, there must have been some hurt. 
I only watched this performance a few minutes and rode 
away, as it would have been a good place to have been 
captured. This was certainly a rough mob and they 
seemed to have no regard for fine glass fronts; they 
would batter them down, as if they had no value. How 
far they went with their plundering I do not know, for 
the first sight of the break and wild rush satisfied my 
curiosity, and T thought if the bq^vs who were doing the 
shooting to frighten had only done it at some of the lead- 
ers, it would have had a better effect. Pard and I got 
a good dinner that day for the cotton and woolen 
cards, and the woman who furnished it thought she 
was fortunate, and said she had fed a good many 
Rebs that day and the cards were ample to pay for all, 
if one was woolen. One rarely sees cotton or woolen 
cards now, but they were a great factor during the war, 
and how the South would have kept clothed without them 
would have been a serious question, and would have 
added far greater suffering. I traded my pair of cotton 
cards for a good pair of pants and both the receiver of 
the pants and the cards were made happy. 

After the evacuation of Columbia, the Rebs did not 
seem to be much in Sherman's way, for we seemed to be 
very much on the run. The Terry Rangers were moving 
one day, which was said to be only a few miles out from 
Raleigh, North Carolina, when the Yankee cavalry sur- 
prised them. This was my first experience of being 
with a body of surprised men at rest, but it was soon 
over, and the Yanks were on the run. It looked like some 
of the boys who did not saddle horses were expert bare- 
back riders and were in the charge among the first and 
seemed to handle self and their horses with ease. The 
last time 1 was on the firing lines, was said to be near 
Bentonville, North Carolina. I was near Colonel Cook 



Capture and Escape. 175 

of the Rangers when he was seriously injured. He was 
shot at long range, across an oi)ening — just when this 
happened we were forwarded in column some distance, 
in a sweeping lope, running into the Yanks who were 
near cutting us off from the bridge. T made an effort 
to make a large scpiad of the enemy surrender, by run- 
ning to their front when they were doul)le-(iuicking to 
their rear. 1 was about fifty yards to their front de- 
manding, "Surrender," thinking they were cowed; but 
two shots from the bunch made me think they were 
not a surrendering lot, so I got out of the foolish 
scrape, scared but not hurt. After their two shots, I 
was satisfied they were onto their job and were run- 
ning in mass to form hollow square to guard against 
cavalry charge, and were reserving their fire or they 
would, no doubt, have em])tied my saddle. I have often 
thought, of all the simple acts of my life, this one headed 
the list, and it is noted among the unexplainable. After 
this, bullets seemed to make a greater noise than usual 
and one would hear, now and then, a woi'd of discourage- 
ment as the men had been driven so nuich that there was 
a muttering of disai)proval of those in authority of their 
mode of warfare. This was the first and only symptom 
of dissatisfaction that I ever heard. 



Surr<»iicl<M' and Rolurii Homo 

With the armistice of .loliiiston and Sheniian, and 
report of Lee's surrender, all hopes were gone, and 
the thought of returning- home, defeated, seemed to lie 
depicted on each face, and for a few days I don't think 
I saw a smile, and there seemed to be a manufacturer 
of false reports near by. Some of the reports said we 
would all be sent North; others said we would be put in 
camp and held for months, so there seemed to be a 
mania for making up unfounded reports and the condi- 
tion of one's mind was such that there were some of 
them taken seriously. As for myself, I think T passed 
a few days of the blankest ])art of my rxistence. T 
seemed to have no thought of the past, present or future. 
How lono- one's mind could have remained in the condi- 
tion as I felt, without some order of transformation, or 
as it were, a chani>ed man, T do not know. Fortunately, 
however, the spell was soon broken; and I awoke, as it 
were, to realize that there was a future. T have ever been 
thankful that during the war and since, T cai-ried no 
hatred a.«>ainst the victorious foe: and T soon learned that 
they looked upon the cause of the strife as T did. and 
performed it as one of their most sacred djities. The in- 
cident that made me a reasoning being was verv sim?)le, 
and crude: but throutrh life T have at least made it mind's 
comfort nt times, when thinj>-s did not ^'o my way, by 
e-ettino- in the band waffon, as it were, and bend an in- 
fluence and not stand off and curse and make iiiatters 
worse. 

Now for the incident. It wms a few days after the 
armistice had been in force, tlint the cavalry was movina: 
at night and we w:ere passins- through a piece of woods 
in a well worn countrv road. At this point the road bad 
been worn down considerablv where ])assina- over eleva- 
tion, and there was not sufficient room for two columns, 
so it seemed that the infanti-y at that p(nnt was movinir 



178 Surrender and Returning PIome. 

also and had given the road to the cavalry and were ly- 
ing on the bank to our right. There was, as usual, some 
talking between the cavalry and the infantry, I was 
napping, or nodding, as it was near midnight, when I 
heard one of the cavalrymen a short distance ahead, ask 
what regiment was that. The reply was North Carolina 
Regiment, giving the num])er. Then the cavalry boys 
began to say "Tar Heel," when one of the Carolina boys 
drawled out, in rather a long tone: "Boys, have you 
got any bacon." The reply from the cavalrymen was: 
"Yes." The North Carolina man then said: "Grease 
and slide back into the Union." The remark and 
the novel way of the use of bacon, forced a laugh from 
several. I joined in and we were soon discussing the 
merits of the North Carolinian's advice. I laughed and 
thought, and had not ridden far before I made up my 
mind to follow the lesson taught by the crude advice; so 
from that I commenced to think of the coming civil life 
and day by day the sunshine of my being grew brighter. 
In a few days there were about one hundred and fifty 
of us started for home, without permission or parole. 
We rode out of the army lines at night — we had a lieut- 
enant as commander, and passed over country in some 
places that knew nothing of the ceasing of hostilities. At 
one small town we passed, the town authorities opened 
quite a large storeroom of army supplies of bolt cloth, 
and such like. The news of the opening for the soldiers 
soon spread and the citizens gathered in considerable 
number — the soldiers went in, but got little of any use. 
The most of the boys cut off i)ants patterns. There was 
no attempt to close doors after the soldiers came out, for 
by this time there was a jam of citizens who seemed to 
want all they could get while the opportunity offered; 
so they soon filled the house, which had a ]ilatform — and 
there were some amusing incidents seen, both men and 
women were in the grab ; and when a fellow inside would 
shoulder up a bolt of goods, his rights would soon be 
contested; therefore, there would be a scuffle and un- 
rolling of the bolt with a run for the streets and there 



SURI^KNOFJ^ AND IvF/PrHXTNO TToME. 179 

was quite a \)\\in<j; u\> of those wlio retained their hold 
too near the edi>e of the i)latform. Tlie whole street 
front was soon a struggling mass, with numbers of pocket 
knives being used to get a part of the l)olt at least; and 
in some instances the cut was very small. It was all done 
in a good humored, noisy crowd, but the divide was not 
an equal one, by any means. We soon rode off and I 
guess the authorities shut the doors on an empty room. 
As we rode out of town, we struck a fellow who had 
whiskey for sale. I rode by his place and got my can- 
teen filled, so with others doing the same, we had plenty 
of whiskey for the souad for all time, if they stuck to 
that brand. After I had taken a drink and passed to 
those who wanted, I took the second drink to see if it 
tasted as bad as the first — it did, and I soon thought, 
from its (juick-acting qualities, that 1 had not grown 
rich from its effects, but sick. 1 soon felt too sick to 
live, but not sick enough to die. I soon drew the stop- 
per of my canteen and emj^tied it, and I thought after 
seeing its contents, of all the men in the world, that town 
had the meanest in that whiskey peddler and that he 
would be out of luck if he passed that way while I was 
so sick. I don't. think that there was ever a greater 
amount of chewing tobacco used in whiskey, or I got the 
dregs of the barrel, for in emptying the canteen the 
mouth would nearly stop by pieces of cut plug tobacco. 

We rode into camp after dark and this was my first 
and only time that I remember of failing to care for my 
horse. 1 managed to unsaddle him and ])our corn on the 
ground. T made no attempt to si)read blanket, as any 
place was acceptable. Sickness soon wore off, and I got 
a fairly good night's rest; but it was some time before 
1 tried the "get rich quick" plan again. On this trip 
my horse had about given out and I asked the lieutenant 
for his consent for one of the other boys and I to re- 
mount, and I would see that the mount would give his 
command no trouble, as T was going to get it from the 
Rebs, who did not know the war was over and that all 
our armv stock belonged to the ^'anks. lie consented 



180 Surrender and Returning ?Iome. 

and j>ave me directiony of ti'avel so I could catch up with 
the squad. So the next day, just before noon, we passed 
through quite a town and I told the officer that I would 
drop out near the outskirts. When we jiassed through, 
there were quite a number of government teams parked 
near where we entered the town. The squad only halted 
a short time in town to inquire the way, but said nothing 
of Lee's surrender, or Johnston's and Sherman's armis- 
tice. It looks strange, in this day of progress, that not 
so many years hence, the news of so important an inci- 
ent traveled so slowly in a well settled country; but such 
was the condition then; for we traveled some distance 
before the news that hostilities had ceased, was known. 
After passing through the town about half a mile, pard 
and I turned to our left and rode off the road about two 
hundred yards, unsaddled and rested the balance of the 
day near a small stream of water. Near night there were 
two fine four-mule teams driven up and went into camp 
on the opposite side of the stream. I remarked to "j^ard 
that we were in luck and to saddle up and mount. He 
did so and we rode about a quarter of a mile in the road 
that our command had passed on, then we turned to the 
left and went into woods about two hundred yards from 
the road and unsaddled, and turned our horses loose un- 
der pard's protest, he claiming that we at least should 
tie our horses, so that if we did not succeed, we would 
still have our horses. I re])lied that if we did not, that 
we would make l)etter time walking, and that was what 
I proposed doing if 1 found I was too cowardly to mount 
a government mule when they now had Yanks for owners. 
His next objection was that we would not be able to find 
our saddles, and I said: "Yet you propose to tie your 
horse where he will probably starve, if the place is not 
found." I, by this time, saw I had a weak subject and 
could not depend on his aid. When we got within seven- 
ty-five yards of the teams, we stopped for a few" minutes 
to take observation. I could see from. the small camp 
fire that all was clear and that the two drivers had 
turned in foi* the night, so I. suggested to pard that he 



SlM^REXDKK AND l^KTrHXrXCi IIoMK. 1S1 

go to the nearest team and i>et a nmie, and tliat 1 would 
go to the fartherest. He \Yeakened and said he could not 
take the risk. I then said : "If 7011 will strictly obey in- 
structions, 1 will mount you; hut if you think you can- 
not, return to your horse, and saddle and ride on," He 
agreed, so I told him to remain at the point he was then 
standing. I was soon examining the first team. Tt was at 
the front of the wagon, and did not take kindly to me and 
made some noise; and there was soon a head and shoul- 
der seen in front under wagon cover. I was looking for 
the driver to be aroused so I stayed squatted between 
the mules until he drew back, and then T continued my 
examination for a good mount ; and as I had my idea set 
on a mare mule, I was delayed sometime in finding one 
and feeling of her limbs to see if she was sound. When 
I had made my choice, I soon made friends and very 
([uietly unhitched and led off. I soon found my man and 
handed him the halter and told him to rub the mule's 
head and pet, to keep it from braying, I returned and 
unhitched another and it was contrary and made a noise 
but I had time to squat and pass under, unobserved, by 
each teamster looking out and why they did not miss 
the mule that I had taken was a mystery. They were 
soon back and quiet, as I went to the side of each wagon 
and from their breathing they were asleep. By this time 
the mules had somewhat familiarized my presence. 1 
was soon out with pard and handed him the halter that 
I held, and said: "You have my mule. Pard 's mule 
brayed once while we were leading them away, but the 
boys were not disturbed of their rest. We were soon at 
our saddles, but saw nothing of our former saddle horses 
and I said to pard I was more courteous to nir horse 
than he, for I had patted him and said good bye and 
wished he would fall into the hands of a better master. 
We were soon mounted; overtook our command while 
they were breakfasting the next morning. My mule was 
all one could ask for; gentle and a fine saddler and car- 
ried the C S. brand. Pard's mule was good, but a poor 
saddler. We were soon through with breakfast and on 



182 Surrender and Returning Home. 

the inarch. We passed through a small town and were 
halted some time. The officer was onto his job and had 
pard and I ride at the head of the column and the 
boys in the rear posted. While we were halted, a run- 
ner came to the front and said we were followed by two 
men. Then Lieutenant Littlefield ordered us to hide be- 
hind the court house and when our pursuers passed on, 
for us to take a ])arallel road to the right. The squad 
was soon moving and all of the boys had caught on. The 
pursuers whipped by, bareheaded and without saddles, 
and were unmercifully guyed as they passed. They 
maintained a sweeping lope as long as I sighted them, 
and seemed intent on overtaking what they would have 
termed thieves, although they had no arms. We took a 
parallel road, as directed, for a few miles, then we re- 
turned to the main road. Pard Y)rotested and asked 
what we would do if our pursuers met us on the return. 
I said: "You saw that they had no arms; so, neither 
would be hurt, and I believe I would like to meet the 
boys anyhow and try and repay them for their honest 
effort to regain the mules, which I would do by telling 
them the war was over and to hitch up and drive as 
straight for home as they could, but to keep a close watch 
for, if they didn't, they would wake up some morning 
with the balance gone." 

We saw no more of them and were soon with our com- 
mand. Our number was decreasing daily by the men 
dropping out to visit relatives or friends, and I think 
that by the time we were a short way in Alabama, Fox 
Trammel, John Pipkin and I were the only ones of the 
original party who were holding to our westerly course. 
So we journeyed on as a party of three, found as a gen- 
eral thing, plenty for man and beast, and especially in 
Mississippi ; and I think I saw more corn housed in one 
section of that state than I saw on my whole travels. 
We took advantage of this plentifulness of corn and 
moved but a few miles per day, feeding and resting our 
horses. W^e usually stopped early of an evening and 



Surrender and RETURNiNCi TTome. IS.'} 

would get our ))i'ea(l baked at some near l»y lionse, 
leaving one of the i)arty as cani])-kee])er. 

One evening, while we were in Alabama — it was Tram- 
mel's time to stay in camp — we were sto])i)ing a few 
hundred yards out from what looked to be a small vil- 
lage. John and 1 had taken our meal and were going 
to the first house to get bread baked. We saw (piite a 
numlier of tenement houses built in two rows and facing 
each other, with a wide street between. We leai'ued that 
it was the quarters for laborers for some iron industry, 
and from what 1 have learned since, it must have been 
near Sheffield. On entering the yard we saw quite a 
number of large, long poor rats and an old dog lying- 
down. The rats seemed to have no fear of the dog and 
but little for John and me. Our curiosity was excited 
^Vhen we went to the house, we found a mother, two 
daughters and a ten or twelve year old boy. We asked 
if we could get bread baked and they readily agreed. 
Our next query was: Why that dog did not kill the rats 
we saw running over and near him, and how came there 
to be so many. Their explanation was, that the Con- 
federates had been for quite a while gathering commis- 
sary supplies and storing in the company's house and 
shop, and that there had been a great amount of corn 
handled through them and the rats had multiplied to 
such an extent that there were thousands of them bur- 
rowed in and about the storage rooms; that a short time 
since the Yankees had raided the place and burned all, 
but had let the people near l)y get out a lot before firing 
the buildings and that they had gotten out corn enough 
to bread them for some time, but the rats, from all n])- 
l)earances, to a large extent, escai)ed burning and had 
left the burned district and scattered among the near 
settlers and it looked as though they would devour all 
the food su]iply. That there was a good supi)ly of 
chickens among the peo])le and that the rats had eaten 
all but one old cock — that he liad, from some cause, 
roosted well up in a tall ticc and as yet they had not 
been able to get him, and that the oc('ui)ants of the 



184 Surrender and Returning Home, 

house next to them had a sow with six pigs a few weeks 
old, and that they had all been eaten. I had read of rat 
stories, and thought they were all highly colored; l)ut 
from the number of rats 1 saw about the place and 
their starving appearance, 1 credited the statement. 
They said the dog killed rats by the dozens when they 
made their first appearance, but had apparently given 
up in disgust and would notice them only while eating. 
The house was a double pen log house with entry be- 
tween. They used one room to stow their corn, which 
they had in boxes and barrels and some in sacks hung 
by cord to joist; and they had found no way to keep the 
rats from eating it and had already lost about half of 
their supply — said they made it their daily business to 
stop all holes that were gnawed through during the night 
and that they had used all devices that they could think 
or had heard of to destroy them; but were now nearly 
ready to give up, as they had no iron vessels to put corn 
in. John and I gave the outside of a room a thorough in- 
spection; found quite a number of holes that had been 
stopped and a great number of places that were almost 
gnawed through. To the reader it may appear that the 
saving of about one dozen bushels of corn against rats 
would be a simple matter, but from my viewpoint it 
was not. 

We received our bread and were invited to return af- 
ter supper and they w^ould sliow^ us the most practical 
way that they used to destroy the rats. But with the 
great amount that they had killed, and their neighbors 
doing likewise, with no perceptible lessening, the onlj 
remedy was starvation, as it looked to be a hopeless un- 
dertaking to kill them. 

John and I returned about dark and from what we 
could see and the noise we heard, we concluded that a 
large percentage had not been reckoned by us from day- 
light observation. On our way to the house, John and 
I settled our claims to the young ladies — the old,er was 
mine and the younger, John's; so when we reached the 
liouse, each showed his favorite a choice and the young 



SURKENDEK AND HeTI^HNING IIo.MK. 1 Sf) 

ladies proved to l)e nice, iiiaiiiiei-|y and sociable. This 
we did not learn on our bread-bakino- trip, as the mother 
did the talking for the crowd and the tlienie of conver- 
sation was rats, rats, and what was to become of her 
and family. After we had pleasantly conversed for a 
short time, we reminded the young ladies of their prom- 
ise; for John and I seemed to be in the mother's condi- 
tion, and, as it were, had rats on the brain. The boy was 
instructed to unstop a certain hole in entry, which gave 
the rats free access to the room and to get the sack, 
which looked to be a corn sack of usual size. The rats 
were watching the boy, T gueas, for they seemed to com- 
mence entering' the room at once, and from tlie squeak- 
ing and noise, John and I got excited at once, as we were 
sure there was a sack full of them in the room. The 
girls demurred, but John and I insisted — so John and his 
girl held the mouth of the sack over the hole, and my 
girl, the boy and I took a light and entered the room. 
The rats were not cowed by our entrance and several 
times I jumped backward to keep a grinning rat on a bar- 
rel or box from jumping on me, if such was his intention, 
for they surely made me think such was their aim. We 
ran a small amount in the sack, but there was quite a lot 
that would not return through the hole. So, after chas- 
ing and thumping for a while, we went out and were told 
if we had listened to them, we would have caught more 
rats, as killing rats in a room was not the game. We 
made no attempt to do so. The chimney hearth was of 
stone, and 1 took the sack as instructed and swung it up 
and gave the contents a few hard lilows on the hearth and 
then emptied; and found thirteen dead rats. The girls 
pleasantly reminded us that "Men do not know every- 
thing," and if we had taken their advice and waited a 
few minutes longer, we would have gotten a sack full ; 
and that without chasing a few straggling rats that did 
not want to go out. John and I promised to be good, 
and were. The hole was left open and l)y the time we 
had the rats killed and counted, there seemed to l)e all 
that was needed; but as John and 1 had promised the 



186 Surrender and TJeturntng TTome. 

g-irls to let them call time, we kept mmn. So we waited 
several minutes and as the rats were on my brain, I felt 
restless, but the girls were more used to the fun and 
seemed to enjoy the conversation, I thought to extremes, 
when there were rats to bag. Time was called and my 
girl and I took the sack, and after she had instructed 
me how to spread and hold the mouth of the sack, and 
said "All ready" John, his girl and the boy entered the 
room. I could hear John now and then, and he acted 
as though he was scared, but I knew he would come out 
with all honors, as I did; for the presence of his girl 
would hold him to his job. The rats commenced pouring 
into the sack as fast as they could singly pass through 
the hole. It was soon crowded to overflowing and my 
girl had not called time — a rat crowded out and was 
making fast flight up her clothes. She was up and 
dancing all kinds of ste])s. She finally got rid of the 
rat and quieted down. 1 could not enjoy the fun of the 
woman and the rat to any great extent for when she took 
her hands from the side of the sack, the rats commenced 
pouring out and I grabbed my side and stood up and then 
began shaking to settle what I could to the bottom, so 
I could close the mouth of the sack without getting bit. 
The rats were killed in the same manner as at first. 
When counted, there were twenty-three ; so from the 
bulk killed there were at least as many escaped, for they 
had crowded in until the sack was full. I asked the 
young lady why she did not order closing the sack be- 
fore it got so full, and she said that they were running 
in so fast that she got excitetd. I said we were now 
even, as I knew better; but I had agreed to be good and 
had done so; but I learned that women were somewhat 
as they had said of men: "That they did not know it 
all." We were soon in camp and comfortably stowed 
for the night. 

After entering Mississippi, we concluded to head for 
Natchez and make our way across Mississippi River near 
that point, dodging the Yanks so as to keep our horses. 
We had no idea, as vet, as to how we would be treated 



SURHKNDEK AM) KeTURNIXC; IIoMK. 187 

by them. Early one day, when we were twenty odd miles 
from Natchez, we were overtaken })y an eldei-jy lady and 
son yet in his teens. They were in a li^ht waj^on be- 
liind a good team. They passed us and I said to the boys, 
"Let's ride up and see if we can't get the desired in- 
formation." They demurred on the ground tliat tliey 
might ])e spies; l)ut I said, have no fear for I take them 
to have l)een once wealthy natives, and if 1 was correct 
that they had no love for the Yankees. They agreed 
to ride up and let me do the talking. I was soon riding 
by the side of the wagon and Fox and John near behind. 
I })roceeded without fear, and soon was well posted. She 
said she w^as the mother of the boy and was once wealthy 
and that their mission to the country was to try and get 
some chickens and eggs and had nearly made a failure; 
that she was a widow and was living with one of her 
sons-in-law, who lived several miles out from Natchez. 
That the old family home was only a short distance out 
from the city and was in charge of an old trusty negro 
man and woman, and her son stayed there part of the 
time, but there was but little doing as they had nothing 
but farm and implements left. She was thoroughly busi- 
nesslike and asked me if T would sell the mule, as the 
war being over, she would inake an effort to restock 
her farm. I told her I would like to sell, provided the 
other two did, but could not if our stock was not sold as 
a whole, as we had agreed on striking Texas before }>art- 
ing, and if we were so unfortunate as to be dismounted, 
we would walk. She said she would give me one hun- 
dred dollars in greenbacks for the mule. My rei)ly was: 
' ' What for the two horses ? ' ' She said, ' ' It is farm mules 
I want." I said: "The horses are young, a))le-l)odied ; 
fine saddlers, and one of them was among the s])eedy 
horses of the Texas Rangers and would eitber ])low or 
trade to advantage, and if she struck a sport that the 
bay, or Trammel's horse, would bring her a fine i)air 
of mules, and that she need have no fear of letting the 
proposed ])urchaser test its s])eed <|ualities. and if she 
made a fair offer on the horses, I would acce))t the ])rice 



188 Surrender and Returning Home, 

offered for the mule." She then offered for Trammel's 
horse, the same as for the mule, and said for Pipkin's 
horse she would sell him to her son who lived a short 
distance ahead for ei^'hty dollars gold, which was about 
equal in price to the others. My reply was: '^I will see 
what the boys say and am in hopes they will accept, for 
under the conditions, your price is liberal, but we could 
get more liy selling in Texas, especially for Trammel's 
horse, as he was inclined on the sporting side of life and 
knew that his horse had good value as a racer." Pi]ikin 
and Trammel had dropped some distance behind and had 
beckoned me several times, but I did not heed call until 
the woman and T were understood. I told her that my 
mule was in the same condition as all first class mules 
of the South, with C. S. or U. S. branded on them and 
that mine was C. S. She said she did not think the 
Yankees would bother. I dropped back and the boys 
seemed worried at me and said that we had better shake 
the old woman at once as we would soon be within the 
Yankee lines if we followed her; and that she would then 
give us away and we would be dismounted and probal^ly 
detained. T told them that the woman was what she had 
claimed to be and to take my judgment for that. They 
started by pronouncing her a spy and T started to ]^rove 
my first impression correct and that I had found it so 
in everv particular; she only wanted my mule and had 
no fear of the G. S. brand. T said: "Boys. I guess that 
looks funny to you, as you have been guyins; me for a 
time about not being able to sell mule, and here I am. 
with mule the leader in a sale: so do as you please, and 
T will do the same; but you will have lost the chance of 
a sale if the mule is not a consideration now. Let's ride 
u]) and overtake her and talk to her before T acce])t as 
individual." So we were soon with the wagon, and she 
said: "See that house ahead? That is my son's place; 
if you young men wish to sell, say so, as that horse would 
belong to him (pointing to John's) and T want to pay 
for him." John agreed and in less than fifteen minutes 
had eighty dollars in gold ])Ocketed. She told her son to 



Surrender and RmTRxixG Home. 189 

send to a place of delivory llic otlici- two lioi-scs and .i;-et 
liis. We then rode on a few miles and stopped at her 
son-in-law's. We Avere met at the front i)oreli and liad 
our clothes well dusted. T did not tell it, but 1 knew it 
was the first time L ever had the other fellow to do my 
dusting-, and as the other boys acted like they had been 
raised to such usage, I guess they were in about the same 
lilight as I; but T have since thouoht that we did not 
fool the negro servant, as we did not tip him, which was 
evidence that we were of the "poor white trash," or what 
the slaves of the well-to-do called the "poor white 
bucker." I don't know when, where, nor how the word 
"bucker" originated; but well knew its meaning, and 
that was, that a rich man's slave was better than a poor 
white man and was often used as a slur by a negro 
owned by the rich to one owned by poor white people. 
We were asked in and seated in a finely furnished par- 
lor. I don't think that the old lady sat down until she 
had paid us, as agreed, and stated^that Trammel and I 
turn our mounts in at a farm near town and her son 
would go down with the wagon, and John. We soon had 
a nice dinner, then returned to the i^arlor and enjoved 
music for a time. Then we started for the farm and 
were soon among outing Yankees, picking berries. 
I was fearful they would see the C. S. on the mule 
and as I had a large leather pouch or haversack, 
T put the strop on the ))omn]el of the saddle and let the 
pouch cover the brand. Mv fear was soon allayed 
as Qur i)assng did not seem to attract their attention. 
We soon were at the farm house and the old colored man 
took charge of our stock, and the old coloi-ed wonuin had 
a good su])])er prepared at the pr()i)er time. The young 
man sent to town and got an ami)le sui)])ly of whiskey 
for an all night's carousal. He seemed to be in the 
height of his glory and said he felt honored to have the 
ivrivilege of entertaining us and for us to eat, drink and 
be merry — and we surely did until about 2 A. M. None 
of us drank to get drunk, but the ])ast and future was 
no ])art of oui' rejoicing — it was the present, and we sure 



190 Surrender and Returning Home. 

made each iniiiiite coimt. We liiig-g-ed, danced, sang- and 
halloaed to our soul's content and our young friend 
joined in. All our monkey acts would end up in a great 
ha-ha laugh. We got a few hours' sleep and were called 
for breakfast. The old colored man had a rig geared 
up and the mule was one of the team. I asked the old 
man if he was not afraid to drive mule into town, and 
he said: "I have brand to the tongue side,' and when 
he struck the city he would drive fast, which he did, and 
when we alighted at the hotel, he drove away fast; and 
I guess he got back all 0. K. — he told me he would soon 
have the brand blurred or ironed out, as he called it. 
W^e were soon in a hotel and registered. From there we 
reported at headcpiarters, were paroled and given trans- 
portation. Pii)kin and Trammel went via New Orleans, 
I to Alexandria, Louisiana. I changed boats at mouth 
of Red River. All seemed to be "busted" on the boat 
but we three; and we did the charity act by making 
(piite a lot of the old boys forget their cares for a time. 
I walked from Alexandria to my sister's, a Mrs. Allen, 
which was forty miles out, in the direction of my home. 
I stayed therg about one month and had an enjoyable 
time. My brother-in-law came to Texas with me; we 
drove through in a two-horse buggy. I left sister's with 
a twenty dollar greenback bill and got accommodations 
to Sabine River free, as no one would take it — for the 
want of confidence or lack of money of like kind; all 
seemed to be afraid of greenbacks. 

I was told by several before leaving sister's that the 
Texans were accused of a good deal of horse stealing 
during the war, from Louisiana, and I would do the 
wrong thing in traveling by claiming to be a Texan. I 
asked if none were taken by Louisiana thieves and run 
into other states and sold. Their re])ly was: "Texans 
were accused of it," so I again thought of the old saying, 
"Give a dog a bad name and you had as well kill it." 

Allen and I called at a widow's house late one 
evening, to stay all night. It was near Lake Charles, 
and if 1 remember correctly, it was in or near the sec- 



Surrender and Kp:turxin« Home. 191 

tion that is called "Big Woods." Her son was a mem- 
ber of Company "F", 5th Texas Infantry, and was a 
fine young- fellow, and lie and I were (inite chummy. He 
seemed to think a great deal of his motlier and sisters, 
and often si)oke of them; and would hand me letters 
from home to read — and from their tone, their love for 
each other was mutual. He had often told me to be sure 
and call on them if I ever passed that way, so in time's 
onward flight, I received from his dying lips his last 
message on this earth to the mother and sisters, and I 
l)romised to deliver it, if in my power to do so. When 
1 entered the yard, the motlier and two sisters, as I took 
them to be, were sitting on the front gallery. I advanced 
to the steps, and spoke — asked to stay all night. The old 
lady seemed to be terribly out of sorts, for her reply 
was: "No," and a shower of words that came so thick 
and fast that I could get no chance to exi)lain, so I stood 
and listened as long as my nature would permit; turned, 
went to the buggy and drove some distance and sto])ped 
for the night. Allen asked if I was not going to deliver 
the message. I said, "no, how could I: for her words 
were not of the soothing kind, and she would not give 
me a chance to speak; and that I had long since tired 
of war tales of woe and abuse and I guessed I had done 
wrong, but my nature was such that my passion had 
overbalanced reason." Allen stopped at the place, on 
his return home and delivered the message, so the mother 
and sisters learned about the young man's ending. 

When we arrived at the Sabine River near Niblets 
Bluff, there was a long ferriage as the river was up. 
The ferryman changed without hesitancy my twenty dol- 
lar bill. I knew nothing of the difference in value be- 
tween V. S. currency and s})ecie, so he made the change 
to suit his own ideas and T received mostly gold which 
I found ui)on arriving in Beaumont to be at a premium 
rate sufficient to ])urchase a greater amount than twen- 
ty dollars in green backs, so as it were, the ferryman had 
jjaid to cross us over the river. T think of this incident 



192 vSuRRENDER AND RETURNING HoME. 

every time I read of some fellow returning amomits to 
the conscience fnnd, but as yet have never divied up. 
We left the team on the east side of Neches river and 
crossed on the T. & N. O. R. R. trestle, which was under 
water. 

In Beaumont T found my old father and two small 
half-sisters. My brother and stepmother had both died 
of yellow fever and a young half-brother had gone to 
other parts and had joined the sporting element as a 
race horse rider. I found John Pipkin's old father, who 
was once a well to do farmer, following two or three 
worn teams, doing the draying for the people through 
Beaumont's mud, and ])reaching of a Sunday to the 
natives. He preached for the good, and not for the gold ; 
as he was of the old-time sort, and tried to make one feel 
better after talking than before; was a pleasant and 
fluent talker and lived on the bright side of life; per- 
formed marriage ceremonies of soldier boys, when called 
upon, and would accept nothing: but would say, "You 
boys have merited all you will ever get, and I feel it an 
honored privilege to have the opportunity to join in 
marriage, such men." 

John and I enjoyed our return to the full extent, I 
guess — as well, or better, than the boys of today would, 
returning under similar service to the present or im- 
proved Beaumont. John and I, before enlisting to full 
citizenship, or going to work, as it were, were giving but 
little thought of tomorrow, and were after a good time; 
and each of us had seen service enough to learn not to 
]:;ine over the by-gone or carry hatred for a victorious 
foe. Our comi:)any, at times, caused considerable com- 
ment. There was at that time a company of soldiers 
stationed at Beaumont, and John and T were soon ac- 
quainted with a lot of the boys; found them to be nice, 
jovial young fellows, if they were born North of Mason 
and Dixon's line. The boys were well equipped with 
cash, and liberal. John and I, after going through with 
a four years' experience, had learned something about 
individuality, so, if it did not hurt our ])i-ide to take a 



SUKRENDER AND RETURNING IIOME. 193 

(Iriiik with the Yanks, w(» had committeed no crime, and 
it was none of the other fellow's business. I was spoken 
to, upon several occasions, about John's and my friend- 
ship for the Yanks, and the surprise it was causing — 
coming from two young men who had borne their part 
so well during the struggle. My reply would be: "The 
war is over and I am following the North Carolinian's 
advice" (Telling the story). 

When Allen started to return home, I gave him what 
cash I had left to make the trip on — then I was "busted" 
and ready for work, so 1 made application for work at 
the Long & Carroll Sawmill. I had worked at the mill 
at different times before the war — my last wages were 
$35.00 per month and board. Long told me when I 
started to war, that if I came out whole, he wanted me 
to come to the mill and learn to handle it. I promised to 
do so. When I told him I was ready for work, and if 
there was an opening, I \^ould appreciate it, he said: 
"All right, Bill, and I will pay you one dollar per month 
greater than the other laborers;" that he was paying 
fifteen dollars, but would give me sixteen. I declined, 
saying: "Four years lost and wages cut." 

So I went home and gathered up father's old carpen- 
ter tools and went on a job at $1.50 per day, about one 
hundred feet from the place where I left off work. 



FINIS. 



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